The Transformative Power of Night to Shine in Uganda
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UGANDA, December 2024—In Uganda, there is a widespread stigma surrounding people living with special needs—many believe disability is the result of a curse or witchcraft. Because of this, individuals with special needs and their families often experience isolation and prejudice.
Jared Scheppmann, Executive Director of Ekisa Ministries, explained that families living with a disability in Uganda will sometimes even face eviction from their homes. “The stigma and the discrimination that people face is heartbreaking. Families are sometimes kicked out of where they live because the landlord doesn't want a child with disabilities living there. Oftentimes, children with special needs are literally not counted as part of their family. It is heartbreaking,” Jared said.
Through Ekisa Ministries, a ministry partner of TTF in Uganda, Jared and his team are working to rewrite the story of disability. And for the last ten years, a large, impactful part of that work has been through Night to Shine.
“We have so many parents in our program who live in the community we serve who don't get invited to events,” said Jared. “It's too hard to travel there, or they're not wanted because they have a child with a disability. To see the pride that comes out of these moms getting dressed up to the nines in their fancy dresses. And just being loved on and seeing their children getting attention and being able to walk the red carpet, get their photo taken, and have a great meal. It blows me away to see what it means for the families, to see the impact that it has on the larger community.”
As one of the first international locations to host Night to Shine, Jared lovingly remembers several standout moments from over the years. One key Night to Shine memory that comes to mind was when, amidst the hustle and bustle of event logistics, Jared consciously paused to look around and simply take in the joy of the evening. The Honored Guests had just walked the red carpet, people were eating dinner, and the dancing was about to start. Jared stood back on a grassy hill overlooking the lights, laughter, and all the people.
“I was looking out amongst all these smiling faces—the children and parents— and it just hit me: There are no disabilities here today,” Jared explained. “No one is at this event right now thinking about the challenges or what's difficult. No one in this moment is thinking about or worrying about what tomorrow looks like.”
At that moment, it dawned on him how, for this one night every year, children with special needs and their families in Uganda are celebrated for exactly how God made them. At Night to Shine, the challenges of living with a disability are lifted, and precious image-bearers are celebrated.
"The days are often difficult for everyone who's here—for the children with a disability or special needs and the challenges that come with that, the discrimination they face or their parents face, and even just the logistical side of getting a child who has a wheelchair to an event like this in a country where transportation is not always the easiest,” Jared explained.
Sarah, the mother of an Honored Guest, shared that during Night to Shine, her daughter Denise and family are celebrated, and all worries are left behind. “Night to Shine has really brought joy to my family, especially me and my girl. We have come to know more people with disabilities. Because when you stay in our community, people keep laughing at you. You may think you are alone,” Sarah explained. “So, we’ve come to make friends. We made friends with most of them. We encourage each other.”
Sarah said that at Night to Shine, Denise is always happy and excited. She loves going on the red carpet, getting her photo taken, and enjoying the food and music. “You come to meet your friends, and then you forget everything, all the challenges. You just come to Night to Shine, of course, to shine!” Sarah shared with a huge smile.
Hiisa, another mother of an Honored Guest, Asher, who has since sadly passed away, said that for her son, Night to Shine was something to look forward to that was very different from day-to-day life. “When I saw my child celebrating on the red carpet, it made me feel very happy because he knew that he's one of the loved children,” Hiisa said.
Jerusalem is a young girl with special needs who is always looking to the needs of others. Attesting to her compassionate heart and spirit, she said her favorite part of Night to Shine is seeing the joy of the other children and their parents. Night to Shine reminds her and others that they’re not alone. “I think this party is important because it reminds me that there are also other children like me,” Jerusalem said. “I feel very good when I see my fellow children and our parents.”
“This event is important to us and our children,” Rachel added. "We need to come together and know one another... it changes the children's lives because, in their minds, it rings true that there is a day when we are going to meet, and there are people who love us.”
After witnessing the impact from the last decade of Night to Shine, Jared encourages others to prayerfully consider hosting Night to Shine.
“It doesn't matter which country or culture you live in; everybody knows how to throw a party! So, throw a party the way that you know how to, but do it for these children. Do it for these people who often don't get that chance. You will just see in ways you probably never expected, doors begin to open, walls begin to break down, and you will see God's glory shine through,” Jared said.
It’s a night that shows people they are loved, valuable, and worthy of celebration. It’s a night to show them that they matter not only to us but, most importantly, they matter to God. At the Tim Tebow Foundation, our job isn't done until all are celebrated. It’s our goal to spread Night to Shine to every country, city, and church until all people living with special needs know their identity and worth as God’s royalty.
Will you help us spread this worldwide movement to every corner of the globe? Learn more about Night to Shine here!
