"Young People's" Profiles
Here we share glimpses of the stories of real people- just younger than most- who have gone through some incredibly good/bad/life-changing events, and many who still need our help.
"Young People" - this was the way a volunteer passing through RUHU (the established orphanage) referred to children. "It's stuck with me since he said it. |
“BIG” GODFREY
Godfrey’s story:
Godfrey lost both of his parents at a young age. He was sent to live with his grandmother who loved him at first, but then she started mistreating him. Sometimes his grandmother would beat him, and would not provide any food. Godfrey’s grandmother expected him to bring water for them. The water was a great distance away from where they lived, so he spent most of his time carrying water. Click to hear more about Godfrey |
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SWALIK
Swalik’s story:
"After the death of my mom, they brought me to my aunt to live. My auntie did not want me, and wanted to take me to my grandmother. My grandmother did not want me either. I felt so bad because I could feel that they had abandoned me, and I was unwanted in the family. This forced me to go to streets to live there. It was a terrible place to live. I found Patrick (founder and Director of RUHU orphanage,) and now I can visit the safe house. I want a place to live and I want to go to school.” Click here to hear more about Swalik |
UMARU KALEFU
Umaru’s story:
"Someone stole something from our home and my parents thought that it was me. I wasn’t the one but they thought it was me. They wanted to beat me. I did not know what to do so I decided to go to Kampala. I had no money so all I could do was to steal something to get me to Kampala. I did not know what else I could do. Now, I don't want to go back home. I will never steal again. I know that it is wrong. I would like to be a musician. I like music vey much." Click here to hear more about Umaru |
MIKE SEKANDI
Mike’s story:
"After the separation of my parents, my dad remarried. My step mom mistreated me by beating me and not giving me food. I didn't know where my mom was and my dad didn't care what was happening in my life. The abuse at home forced me to come to the streets. Now, I want to become a Pastor, and for me to do this, I desire to go back to school.” Mike’s dream: To become a pastor. Click here to hear more about Mike |
ISMA KISOLO
Isma’s story:
“Isma's father was a witch doctor and had three wives. His father and wives would always fight and argue. The fights and arguments would escalate to the point where they started to bewitch the children. As a very young child, Isma saw one of his brothers, bewitched. This brother died from the bewitching. Isma became very scared and ran away from his home. Everything that was going on in his home made him fear for his life. He thought that if he stayed he would surely die. Isma came to Kampala and has been living on the streets for over 2 years... Click here to hear more about Isma |
Frank the Tank"There were a variety of reasons why I left home. I never got to see my mother and my father abandoned me. I was sent to my uncle's home. My uncle was unemployed and he could not feed me. This forced me to come to Kampala to see if I could find my mother, but I did not find her. Instead, I found the streets. It is hard to live on the street. Here, we are hungry, scared, and have nothing. Maybe someday I will find my mother.”
Frank still lives on the streets of Kampala. He goes to the RUHU safe house for meals, and for praise & worship. Currently, there is not enough room at the safe house for Frank to stay. Click here to hear more about Frank |
CollinsCollins’ story:
Collins was living with his stepmother who used to mistreat him by pouring hot water on him. She would also beat him with an electric wire. The constant abuse forced Collins to run away and become a street child in Kampala. Collins has said that he has no desire to go back home and live under those conditions. Collins now stays at the RUHU safe house where he has made friends and is gaining self-esteem and a sense of hope. Click here to hear more |