Our Children
Joseph (13)
Joseph was the first boy we sent to school, fed and mentored in November ’08. After he came 25th out of 178 and attended school every day, we decided to give the next 33 a chance. In 2003 Joseph’s mother died. He doesn’t know where his father is and he moved to Jinja in 2008 to live with his older brother, John Bosco (who is also one of our boys in the house). Joseph is extremely bright, a great footballer and a strong leader. We hope Joseph is going to benefit hugely from the benefits of a stable home.
Michael (7)
Michael is our youngest boy. We first met him when he was sleeping on the streets and he was well known by all the Jinja shopkeepers. He is known to everyone as ‘Cocolan’ which means ‘Thief’ so we have insisted he is now called Michael again. Michael came to Jinja in 2005 with his mother who died a year later. His father has an addiction to alcohol and is re-married. Recently we rented a room for him to live with his brother Bosco (below) and older sister. Sadly his sister became pregnant and ran off to beg in Kampala which devastated Michael. He has moved into the house which is great timing for him and he has changed dramatically becoming so excited (sometimes hyperactive!) and constantly smiling.
Bosco (14)
Bosco was one of the first boys we met on the streets and was always the one in trouble. He was always playing with radios and electronics, but showed no interest in going to school. We didn’t take him on in February, but by the next term he realised he was missing out and that most of his friends were off the street so he asked us if he could go to school too. Bosco is 14 years old and has never been to school! We put him in P3 (Year 3) and are giving him extra tutoring to keep up. Bosco is living in the house and is regularly seen washing his little brother’s clothes. On Saturday’s he works with a local mechanic for a practical experience.
Emmanuel (14)
Emmanuel started school in February ’09 in P4 (Year 4). After the first term he came 2nd out of a class of 68, and as a result he got moved up to P5. Emmanuel’s English is very good and he is always ready to flash his cheeky grin! He is a great older brother to Stephen as their parents spend months away digging in Western Uganda. Emmanuel was born in Jinja, he is the eldest of 5. His favourite subject is maths and worst is science.