Child Protection Uganda Project #14034

Stopping child abandonment in Uganda

by Kids Club Kampala

Project Report | Nov 3, 2021
Ewafe Project: Autumn Update 2021

By Andy Brown | Senior Supporter Care Officer

Welcome to your Autumn update. After another 3 months of lockdown, things in Uganda have started to open up again after a steady decline in COVID-19 cases. Travel restrictions were eased and markets reopened in August, Universities and post-secondary education are set to resume in November. However, although things are beginning to feel more positive in Uganda, the long-term impact of COVID-19 on families is yet to be fully felt, so please do keep Kampala in your thoughts and prayers.

We have continued to provide vital food packages to children in need

Ewafe Project Update

The Ewafe Home is still trying to cope with the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic. The home is currently at full capacity as cases of child abuse, neglect and abandonment have continued to rise in Kampala. It is an unfortunate reality, but we want to thank you for your generous support which helps us to ensure that we can provide a safe space for abandoned children whilst we work to reintegrate them back into a loving home. This quarter has yet again been a busy one:

Rescued and admitted 8 children into the home.
Reintegrated 6 children back with their families.
Cared for the 55 children currently staying at the home.

*Nina's Story

Whilst visiting Uganda’s busy capital, *Nina became separated from her mother. She tried to find her in the crowds but was unsuccessful. A good samaritan found Nina wandering the streets and took her to the local police station.

In February Nina was referred to the Ewafe Home by the police. The Ewafe staff cared for Nina whilst her family were being traced by our team of social workers. Thankfully, in July the team were able to make a breakthrough and locate Nina’s mother in Luwero District. With support from the local community, Nina was finally reunited with her mother in September. After 7 months of separation, Nina’s mother met her with open arms.

‘Thank you Kids Club Kampala for taking care of my child. The joy that Paul and Silas got when they were released from prison in the Bible is the same joy I feel when my child came back home.’ - Nina’s mother.

An update on *Sabre's story

In the Summer update, we told you about *Sabre. Sabre was being abused by his father and ran away to a local police station in June. Sabre and his two siblings, Hamma* and Isla*, were admitted to the Ewafe Home where they received care and counselling to help them through an incredibly traumatic experience.

We are now pleased to inform you that Sabre, Hamma and Isla are safe and living with their uncle in a nearby village. The siblings were reintegrated in September and have been enjoying their time in the countryside.

The Power of Nature

As part of our COP26 campaign, we will be exploring the impact of climate change on our communities in Kampala. But, we will also be celebrating the natural beauty of Uganda and the importance of protecting this for future generations.

We are proud that the Ewafe Home is located in such a beautiful, natural environment. We believe that in this environment children will benefit both mentally and physically. Bringing nature into your life has been proven to reduce stress and anger, help people feel more relaxed, improve your confidence and self-esteem and encourage a more active lifestyle.

The children that come through the Ewafe doors are often dealing with emotional and psychological trauma. With the help of our amazing staff, we are able to rehabilitate children and provide a safe space for them. An important part of this safe space are the beautiful natural surroundings at the Ewafe home, with plenty of room to run, play and be a child.

Our COP26 campaign will be running from October 31st - November 12th. Make sure you are following @KidsClubKampala on social media to learn all about how Uganda is being impacted by climate change and what you can do to help.

The Ewafe playground. Plenty of space to run, play and be a child!

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Aug 2, 2021
Ewafe Project: Summer Update 2021

By Andy Brown | Senior Supporter Care Officer

Welcome to your Summer update. As you may be aware, a strict lockdown was imposed in Uganda on the 18th of June to combat the rise of COVID-19 cases. Families in Kampala's slum communities have been left without an income, with some unable to afford food and care for their children.

We launched our Serving Communities in Crisis emergency appeal to be there for our communities during lockdown. So far we have supported 4,243 people with COVID-19 relief including food packages, education materials and family support.

On Wednesday the 21st of June our Founder and Executive Director, Sam Wambayo, joined us for a Lunch n Learn. You can watch the event here and listen as Sam explains how Kids Club Kampala are there for the community and how the Ewafe home is playing a vital role in helping children in crisis.

Ewafe Project Update

Unfortunately, as a direct result of the lockdown, the number of children being abandoned, abused and neglected has risen drastically. This, combined with school closures, has meant the Ewafe home has been very busy!

Despite the uncertainty of lockdown in Uganda, we have lots of good news to share from the Ewafe home. With thanks to your regular donation, this quarter we have:

Rescued and admitted 9 children into the home.
Reintegrated 5 children back with their families.
Cared for the 47 children currently staying at the home.

Home schooling at the Ewafe Project.

*Nancy's Story

Nancy* was referred to the Ewafe home in March. She was living with her mother, stepfather and two stepbrothers when she went missing. Nancy was taken to the local police station after a stranger found her wandering the streets.

We were able to find Nancy’s mother and they were reunited on the 6th of April.

‘I had to harvest and sell maize to get the money needed to continue searching for my child. But, she was nowhere to be found and I had given up hope until the Ewafe project brought her back to me. May God grant the Ewafe home more blessings.’

- Nancy's mother

The Ewafe Project has New Wheels!

We are so excited to have a new car at the Ewafe home. The home is located in Busika, an hour from Kampala. The dirt roads that have to be taken to reach neighboring towns, villages and districts are dangerous and are often at risk of flooding.

With the new sturdy 4x4 car the Kids Club Kampala team will be able to quickly and safely reach children in need. It will also speed up the travel time taken to search for and reunite families.

The Ewafe Project is Expanding!

We have been expanding the Ewafe home including building a new therapy room to support children's rehabilitation, a new kitchen to account for growing numbers and purchasing land so we can grow our own crops.

Would you like a little tour of the progress so far?

First up we have our new therapy room. Building work started on the 22nd of June and we are happy to report that it is almost complete!

The therapy room will be vital when supporting and rehabilitating the kids that come to the Ewafe home.

Here's the therapy room now. It's almost ready to go!

Now we're in the kitchen. An increase in children being admitted to the Ewafe home means there's more mouths to feed. Our new kitchen is bigger and solar powered!

We also had the opportunity to acquire some land around the Ewafe home. With this new land we will be able to grow our own crops and move towards a more sustainable future.

*Sabre's story

It is an unfortunate reality that incidences of child abuse and neglect increase during lockdown. Many people become vulnerable to violence in their own homes.

Sabre* was abused by his father and ran to the police for help. He was referred to the Ewafe home along with his two siblings, *Hamma and *Isla, on the 24th of June. The three children are now safe, living at the Ewafe home whilst the police search for their father in order to reprimand him.

Sabre was rescued on the 24th of June

During lockdown, we have seen cases of violence increase. Although Sabre and his siblings were lucky enough to reach the police, for many children in Kampala emergency support is inaccessible.

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Apr 16, 2021
Ewafe Project: Spring Update 2021

By Andy Brown | Supporter Care Officer

Ewafe Project Update

The Ewafe Project forms part of the 'Protecting' pillar of our Road to Recovery. This is a vital part of our plan and allows us to safeguard vulnerable children in Uganda and provide them a safe and loving home.

This quarter we have achieved:

5 children, all girls, have been rescued and admitted to the Ewafe home during the quarter
A total of 45 children (29 boys and 16 girls) are being rehabilitated at the home through counselling
5 children have been successfully resettled during the quarter
Installed electricity at the Ewafe office which will help to improve efficiency
Expansion of staff team with the appointment of new assistant house mother

11 year old *Balondemu has been reintegrated with his grandmother

*Wansala and *Najjja's Story

Brothers *Wansala (10) and *Najja (6) were living on the streets trying to find their parents when a Good Samaritan found them and handed them over to the police. The children were then placed at the Ewafe home in October last year.

Brothers *Wansala and *Najja at the Ewafe Project home

Wansala was able to relax into the Ewafe home quickly, helping with the little ones and participating in activities. However, due to his eye problem, Najja found it more difficult and isolated himself from the others. With the help of the Ewafe Project, Najja was able to receive life changing eye treatment and counselling which helped him get comfortable in his new environment. The remainder of his time in the home was spent enjoying activities with his friends and big brother.

The first attempt made in tracing Wansala and Najja’s family was done in the Bombo District. This was successful due to the help of village elders, who were able to provide our social workers with vital information enabling us to find the brother’s relatives.

The brother's were reunited with their family in January 2021. Wansala and Najja’s grandfather expressed his gratitude for the Ewafe Project and his joy upon seeing his grandsons: “thank you so much for the great work you do for the children because we had lost hope.”

*Wansala and *Najja reunited with their family

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