When we arrived in Iraq, we had no security. I did my job all day, transporting fuel through the Triangle of Death, filling up vehicles and generators... and we'd have dinner and pull security for hours into the night. 3-4 hours of sleep. 7 days a week. For 3.5 months.
And then the Ugandans came.
I was so happy I wanted to hug every single one of them. They kept us safe while we focused on the mission, and we got to sleep. They were making American money and smiling from ear to ear all the day long, so happy always. They even set up checkpoints around our base to keep us extra safe (and put more Ugandans to work, no doubt). 
As I passed each checkpoint in my fuel truck I would yell, "JAMBO!!!" and all of them would yell back at me, "JAMBOOOOO!!!!" They were just so happy I couldn't help but be friends with them. 
I found a unit at the front gate (our most important post) who had no combat training and taught them hand-to-hand, making many friends in the process. I am still friends with their commander, Dennis Marshall, to this day.
They would always tell me I had to go to Uganda. I would love it. I should come visit them. Uganda is beautiful like a paradise. I should come do a concert there. They would help promote it. It would be epic.
I have always had a special place in my heart for them. I'll never forget them.. I have awful memories of Iraq, but they were beautiful to me. Their comraderie and the respect and love they had for each other...
One day, I met Brian Segiriniya on FB and we just hit it off. I was always poor and could never help him, but his friendship with me was real and good and constant. He cared more for me consistently than any American brother I have had. I tested him. I questioned him. I looked so closely for any evidence he might not be genuine. And I found nothing. So I embraced him and started helping his family. And one day he asked if I could help the orphans in town with something for food and I started asking more questions... and... here we are.
Homegrown from scratch. Real people. Real relationships. Real, desperate need.