For over 10 years, Lauren has carried a deep passion to support people in Africa. She first began this journey through volunteering with African Action, which has been working across Uganda, Kenya, and South Sudan for more than two decades. During this time, she sponsored a woman in Uganda and contributed her skills in website design and financial bookkeeping, alongside experience in office administration and small business operations.

In 2016, Lauren volunteered with a local community-based organisation running a feeding program for street-connected children in Kisenyi. This experience strengthened her fundraising skills and deepened her connection to the region. In 2017, she travelled to Kenya and Uganda for the first time and quickly developed a strong love for Uganda and its people.

During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, urgent needs emerged from Uganda as families faced severe hardship due to extended lockdowns and loss of income. In response, Lauren worked with local friends and supporters to organise emergency food relief, including hiring a truck and distributing hundreds of bags of posho to families in need.

As these relationships grew, Lauren recognised the need for a long-term, sustainable approach to supporting vulnerable children and families. Later that year, she began establishing Umoya Ministries as a registered Australian charity.

The mission of Umoya Ministries is to empower children through education, strengthen families through at-home support, and uplift women. The organisation believes that lasting change comes through strengthening the family unit and working in partnership with local communities.