Learning how to dream big
11 years ago, if you would had asked Hajara about her dreams for her future and hopes, she would have told you she didn’t have any and fearfulness could be seen in her eyes. After everything she had been through, she could not believe in a future built on hopes and dreams at all. Dreams, she feared, would only set her up for more heartache, disappointment, betrayal and despair. 13-year-old Hajara would not have been able to dream of going to University. August 2014, Hajara moved into her university hostel thanks to her close friend Rachel and we got to watch one of her dreams become a reality. For Hajara to get there, it wasn’t easy, but with hard work, counseling, and lots of prayers and encouragement, Hajara continued with her university.
Sharing this as the opening paragraph is to inspire others of what can become possible if a youth who has had a similar story like most of the girls sees her dream become a reality than it is indeed a possibility for other girls. At Save Sunshine Shelter Kids, we believe every child should be able to dream big and pursue their dreams. Dreaming big begins with access to safety, justice, and healing. Dreaming big begins with Jesus to see Hajara who once didn’t think anything was possible to be able to dream and be a part of many other young girls’ stories and work harder to see them become fruitful.
“Now, to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we could ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to Him be the glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21
You’ve heard it says that it takes a village to raise a child. I couldn’t agree more. But we have found it takes a village and then some to bring safety, justice, and healing to a child who’s been impacted by sexual abuse. It takes an entire community. That is why our model is built around a community-driven approach. We believe local leaders, organizations, and communities work best with us when equipped to address issues of sexual abuse and violence.
By establishing Community Networking Teams in each community we operate in, we bring local leaders together to develop effective, coordinated strategies for addressing the needs of survivors in their communities. The goal of each Community Networking Teams is to offer the following core services;-
Safe shelter and resettlement, Child-friendly police interviews, Medical evaluations and health care, Trauma therapy and emotional care, Case review and management, Prosecution services. Because we don’t need to rent multiple safe houses or hire loads of staff members, our model is extremely scalable. It’s just a matter of time before we are making an impact in every district. We are amazed by what we can accomplish when we engage with people and organizations that are already plugged in and doing great work on the ground. We are also in awe of the fact that so many children who were once too afraid to dream will soon start dreaming big, just like desire, Rachel and many more.
Rescued from a Life of Abuse
Joseph’s father passed away a few years ago and the family income greatly diminished as a result. His mother, Rita, struggled to buy food for herself and Joseph and there was no money at all to send Joseph to school. Joseph is a bright boy, who showed promise and his mother didn’t not want him to miss out. So when her brother offered to look after Joseph, she accepted. He had more money than her and would be able to provide for her son. Joseph was enrolled to go to school, was given enough food to eat and a place to sleep. Yet his uncle was not the ‘rescuer’ he claimed to be. He began to abuse Joseph, threatening to hurt him if ever he told anyone. Joseph knew he had to escape.
He missed his mother terribly and did not know where to turn for help. Then one night, his uncle had too much to drink. Joseph received a terrible beating. He was then thrown out of the house in the middle of the night.
He ran to a neighbor and was brave enough to tell them the truth about what had been happening. He said, “At first no–one would believe me, because I’m only 11 years old, and my uncle is a well-respected man in the community.”
Thankfully, he was in safe hands with local authorities, who got in touch with Save Sunshine Shelter Kids to help provide care and shelter for Joseph. He lives in the safe haven of the New Life Homes now, receiving counseling and prayer support. He has made good friends there to and his hope has been restored.
He escaped from jail to exact revenge
Right now, children’s lives are in danger. Girls who’ve reported cases of abuse or escaped trafficking are living in fear for their lives. Girls like 5-year-old Dophine who was being abused in her home by a family member. Upon learning about her situation, our social worker went to visit Dauphine and her mother. Dophine disclosed the abuse to our attending physician.
Barbara accompanied Dophine and her mother to the local police station where they filed a report. Dophine was then accompanied to a doctor who confirmed the abuse. The perpetrator was immediately arrested. Dophine and her mother began receiving counseling and psychosocial support, but Dophine was so afraid that her abuser would return the probation officer recommended she be temporarily placed in our shelter.For the first time in months, Dophine felt safe. But it turns out her life was still in danger.
The perpetrator escaped from police custody and hatched a plan to remove Dophine from the shelter to “get rid of the evidence. Unimaginable, isn’t it? Thankfully, we were able to move Dophine to a different shelter and the police mobilized a search party. We’re happy to say the culprit was eventually re-apprehended and sent back to jail. And, after months of therapy, Dophine was able to be resettled with her maternal grandmother. She’s doing well and she and her family continue to receive psychosocial support. Sadly, this is not the first time the life of a child in our program was in danger. That’s why, in 2022, we decided to open a few numerous small roomed shelter in various areas where we
A secure location where our most vulnerable survivors can recover and receive the support they need without having to worry about their safety. We call it Haven girls’ transitional shelter.Our shelter is a place where children receive trauma counseling and emotional support, medical care, case management, and support from social workers and advocates who walk the children through the legal process.
They also receive literacy classes while attending Bible studies, dance, art, and physical education classes. We are so grateful to our friends and supporters who help fund the girl’s shelters so as to keep the girls safe. While there’s no place like home, our Haven girls transitional shelter is a safe place for children to recover and heal so they can go on to live healthy, happy, and fruitful lives.
From the Streets to Family Reconciliation
Owen had been living on the streets of Kampala for 9 months when Save Sunshine Shelter Kids was able to bring him into the shelter at 12 years old. He had run away from home as he had skipped school to play football and was afraid his father would punish him. While living at shelter for two years, he was cared for and had a chance to reconcile with his family. During these visits at holiday time, Owen realized that his family loved him and he eventually asked to be resettled with them. On a recent visit by Hajara, his grandmother was asked how Owen was coping with being back at home. The grandmother expressed his joy at how Owen had grown and become a helpful and dependable child.
“He helps in almost every chore at home, like grazing the cow, gardening and fetching water among others,” says his grandmother with a proud smile on his face. Now at 16 years old, he has just finished his Primary 7 exams and passed with a 1st grade which is the highest grade you can obtain! According to Owen, he owes his success to God and Save Sunshine Shelter Kids for taking him off the streets and reuniting him with his family. He says, “I want to become an accountant in the future. I’m very happy about my results and thank God and Save Sunshine Shelter Kids for rescuing me from the streets and sponsoring me.”