a light at the end of the street since 2007
“As the need grew, so did the vision —
Saving Grace in Uganda began in 2007 when Alon and Val Bransdorfer were serving in displaced people camps in Northern Uganda, formed during the civil war led by Joseph Kony. While in Lira, they met countless children—many as young as three—living without food, care, or protection.
After one of those children was tragically murdered by a local vendor, Alon and Val, alongside the Kuhn family, opened their rented home to 26 children. They partnered with Fred, a 21 year old former street child already ministering in the area, to help care for them. When Alon and Val returned to the U.S. to raise support, that small home became known as Uncle Fred’s House—a safe haven for vulnerable children.
As the need grew, so did the vision. Saving Grace in Uganda eventually purchased 15 acres of land, which has now expanded to 25 acres. Today, Saving Grace Children’s Village includes five homes housing 60 former street children and a primary school that educates over 1000 students annually. SGU’s programs serve thousands of impoverished Ugandans each year.
Saving Grace in Uganda has no paid USA staff.
The ministry is overseen by a group of dedicated volunteers who serve with their talents, resources and time, making it possible to have no paid staff in the United States.
Board members fund all administrative costs.
usa team
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Valerie Bransdorfer
Founder & Executive Director
Valerie began ministering to street children in Lira, Uganda in 2006. She and her husband Alon established Uncle Fred's House when they returned in 2007. She has an extensive history in law enforcement, security and ministering to the homeless and children. Valerie has a heart to see street children and their communities transformed through God's ultimate gift of salvation. -
alon bransdorfer
Founder & President
Alon serves as president of the SGU board and as a mentor to Uncle Fred. He has a B.A. in Psychology from Montclair State University and is married to Valerie. They have six children. While in Uganda in 2007, Alon fell in love with the people there and he desires to see children and their families reunited and restored. -
suzanne kuhn
Founder & Administrator
Suzanne has worked with Saving Grace in Uganda since its beginning in 2007 and has overseen much of its operation since then. She desires to know God’s heart for the fatherless and seeks to join Him in what He is doing to care for them. She believes she was created to share the truth of God's saving grace with the next generation. She has a bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Florida and has served on other non-profit boards as President, treasurer and member at large. Suzanne is married to Larry who is one of SGU's biggest supporters. They have four adult children and seven grandchildren. -
joel kuhn
Development Director
Joel oversees the creative and technological aspects of Saving Grace in Uganda as well as operations systems in the U.S. and Uganda. He believes that the end of street life is an attainable goal. He recognizes that God has a great love for orphans and wants to educate and engage others to intercede on their behalf. Joel has been serving SGU since he was 15 years old. He runs a wedding photography business with his wife Sammy. -
sammy kuhn
Project Manager
Sammy is a jack of all trades at SGU, helping the administrators with logistics, managing child-sponsor relations, web design, and running our social media accounts. Her love for the the children in Uganda motivates her to make a difference in their lives and help take more of them off the streets. She dreams to help raise up children who will one day end street life in Uganda. Sammy graduated with a degree in Family Youth and Community Sciences from the University of Florida. -
emily ray
Secretary
Emily Ray handles the legal and accounting logistics of Saving Grace in Uganda. She recognizes children as the next generation of believers who will continue to spread the gospel to a lost and dying world. She believes it is critical to empower them to become contributing members of their communities and to teach them how influence others to freedom in Christ. Emily is a CPA who has been working in public accounting since her graduation from the University of Central Florida in 2007. She, her husband, and two young children live in Oviedo, Florida and attend Church of the Commons. -
john eckley
Board Member
John first became connected with Saving Grace when he visited while on a mission trip with his church. He returned the next year for an extended 12-week stay at Uncle Fred's House, where his heart for these children and this ministry really took root. John has been a board member with SGU since 2010. John manages the Learning Services department at the Cerner Corporation in Augusta, Georgia. John is married to Sarah and together they have two boys. They are members of First Presbyterian Church Augusta where John serves as a deacon. -
deborah solid
Board Member
Deborah has supported Saving Grace in Uganda since 2012 and has been working as a donor liaison since 2023. She is passionate about the work happening in Uganda and is excited about the ministry's future expansion. She has a bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of Florida. Deborah has been married to Kelly for over 40 years. They have five adult children, and one very special son, Mark, who went to be with his savior Jesus in 2003. They attend the Church of the Highlands in Huntsville, AL. -
kelly solid
Board Member
Kelly and his wife Deborah met SGU Founder Suzanne Kuhn and her husband, Larry, at the University of Florida in 1982. Because of their friendship they were introduced to SGU and the amazing things God has been doing through the ministry. Kelly works on special projects in donor management and fundraising for SGU or wherever else he is needed. He has a BS in Finance from Auburn University and an MBA from University of Florida. For the past decade, Kelly has been actively in the fight against domestic human trafficking and is currently on the board of a non-proift in that field.
ugandan leadership
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fred ojok
Founder & Ugandan Ministry Director
Fred Ojok became a father to 23 street boys when SGU was founded in 2007. At the time he was only 22 years old. A former street child himself, Fred can relate to the children SGU serves in a way that few can. He oversees all of the workings of the ministry and has the final say in every decision that is made from Uganda. Much of the ministry’s success can be credited to his fearless leadership. Fred has a diploma in Gender and Social Development.
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kosta ojok
Associate Director
Kosta assists Fred in overseeing every facet of the ministry. She is a prayer warrior, Bible teacher, and encourager as well as friend and mother-figure to the children who live at Uncle Fred's House, those still living on the streets and the SGU staff. She is married to Uncle Fred and together they have three precious daughters named Valerie, Suzanne, and Maya and two sons named Josiah and Phineas. Kosta has a certificate in social work and is fluent in five languages. She is an incredible gift to Saving Grace in Uganda.
