It was early in the 2020 covid pandemic, amid the restrictions of the forced lockdown, that Gilchrist Thebeloved together with Lubangakene Solomon (Bolin) resolved that it was time for them to make a difference. For years Gilchrist had found herself intervening in street conflicts, assisting people in distress, always willing to lend a hand to a stranger, she felt a powerful pull to help those in need, and as the lockdown became more severe it became clear to her that this was her calling.  The plight of children living on the street had always been a painful concern of hers and with the advent of the lockdown it was obvious that street children were struggling to adjust to the new reality.  Young boys without housing, without access to food and clean water, addicted to sniffing jet fuel, facing constant harassment and violence, Gil and Bolin just simply started taking in and ‘parenting’ as many boys as they could. Initially they offered food and water, a safe place to sleep, counselling and empathy. With time and understanding it became necessary to help the boys break the addiction to sniffing jet fuel, something that had helped the boys deal with street life but in the end offered addiction in exchange. Learning the history of each individual boy Gil and Bolin were eventually able, sometimes with great effort, to find a safe place for each boy that they had taken into care. They sought out parents or grandparents or siblings, someone, willing and able to take in each boy in a situation in the best interest of the child. They counselled each child and each potential care giver with a view toward an accepting and sustainable living situation hoping for rapprochement with parents whenever possible.

The work that Gilchrist Thebeloved and Solomom Lubangakene began in the lockdown of 2020 has slowly evolved into the Gud Kwo Foundation expanding their care and compassion into the larger community. They have assisted many young mothers in need of love and assistance found wandering the streets of Kitgum. As the Gud Kwo Foundation Gil and Solomon have become involved in cases of rape and defilement and gender based violence working with police and the families involved in an effort to bring reconciliation and resolution that avoids incarceration if possible.       

This work has continued to grow to encompass an interest and effort to combat Malaria through education and prevention, the ongoing struggle of HIV/AIDS, and the experience of gender based violence. 

William Gilchrist  (Co-founder) August 2022