Lasting Smiles Uganda was born as a result of Pastor Semei Ziva answering God’s call for his life “To show love to a hurting world.” Knowing at a young age that he had God’s call upon his life, Semei volunteered at his local church in diverse capacities with a hunger so desperate to show love to those hurting. He traveled on evangelistic missions around Africa. It was on one of these missions that he became so concerned about the dire situations he would find – unclothed and hungry children in need of medical attention. He then knew God had touched his heart and he had to do something to help underprivileged people.

Formerly a school teacher, Semei left his career in the year 2000 and volunteered to work with a charity organization “The outreach to Unfortunate Children’s Hurt”. He played the fatherly role for all the underprivileged children that were enrolled to this organization. Working closely with these children, he realized God was calling him to help them. Semei believes that every child has unlimited potential to achieve their dreams if only given a chance.

Semei, together with his wife Susan, took in three girls and made them part of their family. The girls shared their story with tears flowing down their cheeks. They had lost their father and their mother was not able to take care of them. They would sell fruits on the streets to earn money for food. They did not go to school at the time. Helping them seemed an insurmountable problem but Semei firmly believed that those tears would eventually turn into lasting smiles. The children flourished under Semei and Susan’s care. They returned to school and today two of the girls are teachers and the other a nurse. With this encouragement, Semei has dedicated his life to helping underprivileged children in Uganda.

Semei and Susan Ziva established Lasting Smiles Uganda with a mission to enhance the well-being of vulnerable children giving supporting them in the area of education, discipleship, healthcare, child protection and food security.

Pastor Bakubi Semei Ziva, 
Founder