Avril’s Bio
Avril first started chatting to Ronnie from Helping Hands in November 2024, after learning about Pauline’s visit to Kamuli in 2023. Impressed and inspired by Ronnie’s testimony of growing up in one of Uganda’s poorest communities and his clear dream and vision for supporting his community, by setting up Helping Hands, Avril felt called to be involved.
Many years previously, God had planted a seed within her to do missionary work in Africa, so when Ronnie asked, jokingly, when she would be visiting, she did not hesitate to name a date; May 2025.
Avril testifies that a common thread has led her to where she is now, right from when she first believed, aged 4, to becoming a Christian, aged 17.
For we are God’s handiwork created in Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Eph 2:10
Recognising that God has a unique job for each of us to do, using our different personalities and experiences, she found herself on a flight to Uganda, in May 2025, to begin to fulfil what God had prepared for her.
Many were amazed that she was travelling alone but knowing the anointing and tangible presence of the Holy Spirit meant that Avril did not feel alone on her journey. She stood on God’s word and trusted His promises, with the song Way Maker, Miracle Worker, Promise Keeper ringing in her ears.
Prior to her visit, Avril set up a JustGiving page, raising £1500 to help the community in Kamuli. This resulted in another borehole being installed, providing much needed clean water for another community.
Donations were also used to purchase mattresses and shoes for villagers, and Avril was able to use her experience in the health sector to give talks to the women of the community on feminine hygiene and contraception.
She was also present for the birth of a baby born in a field; no midwife, no medical intervention or pain relief, no nappies or baby clothes, just a ragged old t-
As well as illiteracy, poor health conditions and material poverty, there is also spiritual poverty in these communities. Avril was able to share the gospel with those she met and assure them of God’s love for each one of them.
Avril is thankful to God for all He has done and continues to do in her life, by connecting her with this community in Eastern Uganda.
‘Do all the good you can, by all the means you can to all the people you can, in all the places you can, as long as you can.’ John Wesley