About Us

THIS IS A MOVEMENT OF LOVE

Zion Project is a faith-based organization that runs holistic
rehabilitation homes in Northern Uganda for both girl child soldiers
and their children, and Congolese refugee women who are trying to
escape prostitution. The vision is to really love these girls in a
safe place and usher them into the presence of God so that He might
transform & heal their hearts through intimacy with Him. We offer
mentoring, counseling, life skills, parenting, vocational training, &
economic empowerment based upon each individual girl's dreams and
goals. Our desire is to empower them into becoming women of God with
purpose and destiny so that they might bring more of the Kingdom to
Uganda. Our ultimate vision is to build the first ever, Healing Reatreat
Center in Gulu, Uganda to provide inner healing to Ugandans and missionaries.

We hope to build relationships with individuals and churches who are
passionate lovers of Jesus and are led by the Holy Spirit.

We want to see people doing what they love
and imparting what God has placed inside of them. We want laid down
lovers and learners who want to love and pray for Uganda.

Sarita Hartz, Founder & Director

My name is Sarita. 

And I believe in redemption.

In 2006, I made my first trip to Uganda excited for an adventure. I had no idea what I was going to do, but I had heard about young girls who were being used as sex slaves and child soldiers and returning to IDP camps as outcasts and all I wanted to do was help. My background was in counseling and English (of all things :) so I decided to start by just listening. And writing down people's stories. But being entrusted with these heartbreaking tales of being raped, being abadoned, and trying to raise a child alone, only left me more determined that I had to do more. 

So I started with the child mothers asking them the question: What do you want? What are your dreams?

And so Zion Project began, in the dirt, just me and a group full of young girls who had very little hope. 

It took a lot of time, a lot of work, a lot of prayer and a lot of commitment, but we registered as a non-profit in the USA and then I moved back to Uganda in 2008 and took 10 girls and 11 babies into our first Rehabilitation Home where I lived with them as a family and loved them in relationship. 

Our values are simple. 

We want to love people.

Where they are. 

We want to heal the heart where the issues of life spring from, so that people can find intimacy with God, with others, and realize their purpose in life. 

So that ultimately they can be at peace, and offer peace to the world, so that unforgiveness, hatred, and violence can end.

We want people to be able to dream again.

Zion Project has grown a lot since those first days living with those girls. I still love them, and released them, and two still work for us today. But God called us on to other girls and other women, and gradually we found ourselves swept up into a the dark world of forced prostitution involving children and the trafficking of women from Congo. 

So we began again. We developed friendships with girls who were hardened by life in the slum, selling their bodies for lack of other options. So we loved them, and told them they were beautiful, and that God has something for them. And slowly we saw dignity coming back, and self-esteem, and now they have skills and jobs that allow them to feel proud of themselves. 

So right now we have a Rescue Home for young girls we have freed, and a Counseling & Resource Center for women trying to get out of the sex-industry who want a chance for a new life. We are called to the outcasts. To the ones that no one else wants. And we love them, God heals them, and we set them free to go on the adventure of realizing their dreams. 

It's a beautiful journey. Will you join us? 

One person really can change a life

through love.

Simple right? :)

Love,

Sarita

Read more on my blog. 

BECOME A PART OF OUR TEAM!