Dr Maria Luise Prean, who dedicated decades to supporting orphans and vulnerable children in Uganda, founded Vision for Africa International, an organisation that has expanded its education and community support programmes across the country.
Austrian Missionary Maria Luise Prean, the founder of Vision for Africa International, an organisation that has supported thousands of orphans and vulnerable children in Uganda, has died at the age of 87.
Dr Prean, who passed on Thursday from an undisclosed causes, spent decades working to improve access to education and support for vulnerable children, building an organisation whose programmes include schools, childcare facilities and other community initiatives.
Vision for Africa International was established in Germany in 2001 before expanding its operations to Uganda in August of the same year. The organisation later established an administrative base in Kampala in 2002, providing a foundation for its growing work in education and child welfare.
Over the years, its activities expanded to include educational institutions and other facilities intended to improve access to essential services for children and communities.
Among its institutions are Vision for Africa International Christian College in Mukono, established in 2012, and Vision for Africa High School in Nakifuma, founded in 2019.
The organisation's programmes have reached thousands of children, providing educational opportunities and support to families who might otherwise struggle to meet the costs of schooling.
In July 2024, First Lady Janet Museveni commended Prean for her work supporting vulnerable children. A message and gift from the First Lady and President Yoweri Museveni were delivered by Irene Kawuma, the First Lady's secretary.
Prean's work centred on providing children with opportunities to access education and improve their prospects, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Dr Patrick Bruni, a human resources official at Vision for Africa International in Kiyunga, Mukono District, described her death as a major loss to the organisation and the people it serves.
“We lost a mother, a friend, a pipeline of God’s blessing to people. I am flying to Europe today to look into how the send-off will be. Shalom,” Bruni said.
Prean is expected to be laid to rest in Uganda, although details of the burial arrangements were yet to be announced at the time of publication.