LEXINGTON, Ky. — Christina Millican visited Uganda for the first time in 2016. Seeing the poverty had a tremendous impact on her.

What You Need To Know

  • The goal of Living Stones' Mission is to rescue young people from exploitation in Uganda, restore their dignity, and renew a sense of hope for the future

  • Christina Millican and her husband, Ken, are co-founders of the organization

  • There is a team based in Uganda that finds people who need help and gives them the help they need

  • Over the course of two years, the nonprofit has rescued 25 women

“I’m often asked the question, ‘Why Uganda?’” said Millican. “I fell in love with that country on my first trip. I tell people all the time: I feel like a piece of my heart broke off and planted roots in the red dirt.”

While having a discussion over the kitchen table with her husband, Ken, and a friend from Uganda, the idea to launch Living Stones Mission was birthed.

“Living Stones Mission was founded to rescue young women out of poverty and sexual exploitation in Kampala, Uganda,” said Millican. “It’s one of the most poverty-stricken places on the planet.”

When a person is rescued, they are taken to a center where an on-the-ground team takes care of those who are rescued and educates them. Many of those who are rescued stopped going to school at a young age. 

However, Millican knew that the help couldn’t stop there.

“But then the question of: ‘What next?’… How do we provide a livelihood?” said Millican. “Not just put a temporary band-aid on a problem, but really orchestrate real change.”

The answer to Millican’s questions came to her in a dream. She dreamed about sewing machines, and after consulting with her team in Uganda, they had the women learn how to sew school uniforms. They were able to hire someone to teach them for $12 a day.

But when COVID-19 hit, their plans changed. Uganda was severely affected by the pandemic, and this led to devastating consequences for girls.

“During that time, teenage pregnancies for girls ages 10 to 14 actually quadrupled,” said Millican. “That was a staggering statistic to read. They didn’t have the protection of school and they just became completely vulnerable.”

Because of the country’s long school closure, there wasn’t a need for school uniforms. 

“We had to pivot and so the women started learning how to make beautiful dresses... and they truly became fashion designers,” said Millican.

The team in Uganda found a small storefront in the country’s capital, Kampala, for the women to work out of where they do alterations and make dresses. The women also have the freedom to explore other interests once they go through the program. Some have gone on to become hairdressers. 

“Our goal is just to enable these young people to become independent and self-sufficient,” said Millican.

The organization is something that Nicolette Barungi, who is an adviser with the team in Uganda, believes to be very beneficial, and hopes that it can grow. 

Over the course of two years, Living Stones Mission has saved 25 women.

“The program is so good for them because it’s not only giving them skills, but they are given words to empower them and build their confidence so that they can make it so they know that they can make it in life,” said Barungi.

Millican has plans to expand the organization to Cambodia and is planning a “Dress for Success” gala on April 22, 2023 in Georgetown to raise funds. Dresses made by the women who have gone through the program will be up for auction. Singer and songwriter Vanessa Davis, who is based in Lexington, will perform at the event.

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