THE CHRISTALIS STORY
Our Story
Christalis was founded to offer vulnerable and exploited children not only the essentials they need to survive, but also the love, support, affection, and security every child deserves. What began as mission trips and heartfelt late-night conversations grew into a shared commitment by Shalini, Elizabeth, and Evon David - each making personal sacrifices to create a safe, nurturing environment in Uganda where children can thrive, receive an education, and embrace opportunities for a brighter future.
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Read the inspiring story of our President, Shalini David, below:
When I was a child, my family often took trips to India. During those visits, I saw children living in the slums - dirty, barefoot, dressed in tatters, and sheltering in torn tents. In those moments, all I wanted was to give them my home, my clothes, my shoes, my food, and my toys. But it wasn’t just about the things - I longed to share the security, love, affection, encouragement, and support that my parents had always given me. I couldn’t understand why I was living comfortably while these children had so little. What made me so fortunate, while they struggled? But I felt powerless - too young and without resources to make a difference. My immigrant parents were working hard just to keep our family afloat. So, in that moment, I made a promise to God: When I was old enough, I would return and help those children.
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I never forgot that promise, even if I didn’t act on it right away. Years later, after becoming a nurse, I joined my aunt on a mission trip to Uganda through Global Evangelism. There, I saw many children without proper clothing, shoes, or adult care. Looking into their eyes, I recognized those same children I had seen in the slums of India all those years ago. At that moment, I asked myself, “What’s stopping me now?”
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I reached out to family and friends to share the needs I had witnessed, and many responded with kindness and support. I brought food to as many children as I could and spoke with them and their parents to understand their situation. With the help of a local pastor, I was introduced to 250 children in need. We considered placing them in an existing orphanage, but we didn’t want to risk their well-being in a home we didn’t know. After much prayer, my mom stepped forward and offered to help me start our own orphanage. That one person’s belief in the vision gave me the strength to move forward.
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I enlisted the help of two local women I had worked with during evangelistic meetings, and they agreed to care for the children at the new home. Before I left Uganda, I gave the pastor $100 toward the first month’s rent. Back in the U.S., my mom raised $2,000 from friends, family, and church supporters. One night, during a hospital shift, my mom spoke with our family friend, Evon David, about our plans. Inspired by our mission, Evon volunteered to leave her life in the U.S. and move to Uganda to lead our programs.
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Evon arrived in November 2004, and in 2005, our doors officially opened. In 2016, with the invaluable support of Walla Walla University students, we built a beautiful new home to provide a loving and safe environment for our children. The following year, in 2017, thanks to generous grants from a private foundation wishing to remain anonymous, we transitioned from being an entirely volunteer-run nonprofit to hiring dedicated staff. Today, we proudly operate two impactful projects serving the wonderful children of Uganda - an achievement made possible by the unwavering support of our advisor, Mr. John Stanley, our board members, volunteers, staff, and our generous donors.
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- Shalini David, President & Co-Founder
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What Christalis Means
The name Christalis comes from the word chrysalis, the transformation of a caterpillar into a butterfly. The variant "Christalis" includes the name of Christ. We hope that every child we serve feels the love of Christ through us as we transform their circumstances into a new life.
