The Day She Called Me Dad

By Andy Wells

This year, I had the privilege of returning to Uganda for the third time with Feed The Hungry, visiting the refugee settlement in the Kiryandongo district.

Uganda was never a place I’d imagined travelling to. In fact, before my first trip in 2023, I was nervous. I didn’t know what I might encounter, and was even more unsure of how I’d handle hearing the heart-breaking stories of those who now call the settlement home.

But fast forward to 2025, and I was genuinely excited to return. Not just because I’d seen the incredible impact Take Away Hunger Day has had- how Australians responded so generously- but because I hoped to reconnect with some of the children I’d met before. One stood out in my mind: Elizabeth.

Elizabeth is 14 and full of charisma. When she sat down for our interview in 2024, the first thing she asked me was, “Can I call you Dad?”

I laughed and asked, “Why?”

“You just look like a dad,” she said with a smile.

I played along, saying, “Well, I am a dad, so sure, why not,” and showed her a photo of my two daughters, aged 17 and 22.

It felt like friendly banter, but I wasn’t prepared emotionally for what came next.

As Elizabeth shared her story, she told me that she hadn’t seen her mother since fleeing South Sudan. Her father has been missing since she was born. “When I see children playing with their fathers,” she said, “I feel sad.”

My heart immediately felt heavy. Her matter-of-fact words carried a weight I  wasn’t prepared for. Yes, Feed The Hungry is providing her with meals at school. And while those meals mean she’s able to learn in class, and have hope for a better future, nothing- no donation, no program- can bring back the parents she’s lost.

When I met her again this year at school, it was clear that she remembered me and our earlier conversation, as she called out to her friends: “Hey, my dad is here!”

That moment will stay with me forever.

Meeting Elizabeth again reminded me why we keep going back.

Feed The Hungry feeds children like her, day in, day out. And education opens doors. But sometimes, what matters most is simply showing up, being a familiar face, a sign that someone cares.

I couldn’t be her father. But for a moment, I could be someone who stood in the gap. Someone who listened. Someone who reminded her that she matters and she’s not forgotten.

Elizabeth prays daily, asking God to provide for her future. And thanks to a daily meal and a safe place to learn, that future feels possible.

Feed The Hungry doesn’t just fill empty stomachs. They nourish hope, resilience, and the simple dignity of being seen.

So as long as I can, I’ll keep showing up and finding ways to make support this important work. Because children like Elizabeth are worth it.

To learn more about Feed The Hungry visit https://feedthehungry.org.au/