Dear Friends and Supporters,
Welcome to our July Newsletter. This month has brought moments of growth, learning, and encouragement across our programs.
Growing Through Every Season.
We are grateful to share the progress, challenges, and meaningful moments from July, and we thank you for continuing to walk alongside us as the children learn, grow, and build toward a brighter future.
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Boys successfully reunited
with their families. Growing Through Care
Rehabilitation Program Progress
Our rehabilitation program continues to be a daily journey that requires patience, consistency, encouragement, and understanding. Progress may not always come quickly, but little by little, we are seeing positive changes in the lives of the children. Two new boys recently joined the program as they await resettlement. As they settle into their new environment, they are gradually learning that change takes time and is built through everyday choices, routines, guidance, and encouragement. For all the children, adapting to change remains an important part of their daily lives. Each child is moving at their own pace, and while some are progressing faster than others, their willingness to learn and improve is becoming more evident. The journey has its challenges, but seeing the children make an effort and continue moving forward is truly encouraging.
Behavioral challenges remain, although the frequency of conflicts has reduced slightly. Some children still struggle to manage their emotions, particularly when expectations are not met or disagreements arise at school. It can be especially difficult when they see friends with things they admire and begin wanting the same for themselves. These moments continue to create challenges, but they also provide opportunities for counseling, reassurance, and conversations about patience, gratitude, responsibility, and making good choices.
Slowly, these lessons are beginning to take root.
This term also brought an important lesson about responsibility and following rules. Two boys were suspended from school after failing to follow the school's uniform rules and regulations. While this was a difficult situation, it also became a practical lesson for the entire group. It helped the children understand that rules exist everywhere and that learning to respect them is an important part of growing up.
The girls continue to show good discipline and adapt well to expectations, with the boys gradually following their example. Through routines, counseling, education, and responsibilities, the children are learning discipline and responsibility. Academically, several children are making progress, especially in reading and writing. Weekend revision sessions continue to support those who need extra help and encouragement.
The boys attending day school continue to adjust well to their routines, with transportation running smoothly. The motorcycle has helped keep costs manageable, although it has needed several repairs due to heavy use. The children are also making encouraging progress in English, particularly those in upper primary. The younger children continue improving in reading and writing, with speaking remaining a challenge for some. These small improvements are important milestones in their journey.
Providing breakfast has helped the children stay focused at school and reduced morning hunger. However, rising food costs continue to put pressure on the budget. We are also working to improve the boys’ sleeping arrangements. More bedding has been added, but we still need about 12 mattresses so that each child can have their own.
Despite the challenges, the children continue to grow, learn, and make progress. Every small improvement is a reminder that rehabilitation takes time, patience, and consistency.
Street Children Outreach Programs
Over the past several weeks, our street outreach program has continued to make encouraging progress. Despite the challenges of reaching children who frequently move from one location to another, the outreach remains an important way of connecting with them, offering support, and reminding them that they are not forgotten.
Attendance continues to fluctuate, especially as police operations targeting street youth have increased in different parts of the city. Many of the older boys move from place to place to avoid arrest, making regular contact difficult. Despite this, we continue to reach them wherever they are.
A major focus has been teaching responsibility through simple activities such as washing clothes, cleaning utensils, and keeping the outreach area clean. These activities help the boys understand that household responsibilities are part of everyday life and will remain important even after resettlement. Some older boys still struggle with this, particularly those who have grown up believing that household chores are not for boys, but counseling and consistent encouragement are slowly bringing improvement.
Small Steps, Meaningful Change
Substance abuse remains one of the most difficult challenges we face Some of the boys continue to inhale aviation fuel and use other harmful substances. While a few are beginning to show willingness to reduce their use, recovery is a gradual process. It is painful to watch the impact of drugs on these children, but through firm program guidelines, counseling, patience, and emotional support, we continue to encourage them toward healthier choices.
Personal hygiene remains an important part of the outreach. Washing clothes, haircuts, nail trimming, and general cleanliness are helping the boys feel more confident and maintain their dignity.
Food and healthcare continue to be key needs. Rising food prices put pressure on the budget, but we continue providing simple, nutritious meals, mainly rice, whenever resources allow. Medical concerns such as wounds, skin infections, and illnesses also require attention, including one child who was recently diagnosed with hepatitis B and has started treatment.
Despite the challenges, we continue to see small but meaningful changes. Greater participation in chores, openness to counseling, improved hygiene, and children returning to the program are all encouraging signs. Every small step is a step toward change.
EDUCATION PROGRAMS
Education continues to be an important part of the children's journey. Over the past several weeks, we have continued supporting them through their studies, school routines, examinations, and the many steps involved in helping them progress. Many of the children have now completed their mid-term examinations, and we are encouraged to see their determination despite the challenges they have faced. Some children who resumed school later than expected may find the examinations more difficult, but additional revision and individual support are helping them regain confidence and strengthen areas where they need more help.
The children in key examination classes, Primary Seven, Senior Four, and Senior Six, continue to receive special attention as they prepare for their national examinations. Their mock examinations have also helped highlight areas where more effort and support are needed. For us, every improvement matters, whether it is better performance, greater confidence, or simply a child becoming more committed to their studies.
Regular school visits and follow-ups with teachers have continued to help us monitor the children's academic progress, attendance, behavior, and adjustment to school life. The two university students have also resumed their studies, continuing their journey into higher education.
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Keeping Dreams in the Classroom
Seeing the children remain in school, prepare for examinations, improve academically, and continue dreaming about their futures is one of the most rewarding parts of this program. Education is giving them more than lessons in a classroom, it is giving them an opportunity to build a different future. At the same time, school fees remain one of the greatest challenges. With different schools having different payment schedules, some children have experienced interruptions when fees could not be paid on time. Thankfully, the understanding and cooperation of several schools have allowed us to make payments gradually and keep many children in class.
At present, approximately UGX 4.3 million in school fees remains outstanding across the primary and secondary schools. Alongside tuition, the children also need uniforms, scholastic materials, and examination requirements, all of which add to the cost of keeping them in school.
Street youth group counselling initiative programs
Our Street Youth Group Counseling Initiative is gradually becoming a space where young people can speak openly, reflect on their lives, and begin thinking seriously about a future beyond the streets. Out of the 15 boys currently connected to the initiative, 7 have shown remarkable consistency and a strong desire to change their circumstances. Several already have ideas about the skills they would like to pursue, while others have shown interest in opportunities such as building and construction work.
One of the most encouraging stories is that of a young man who remained consistent and committed from the beginning. He has now taken an important step forward, beginning training in plumbing and securing a safe place to stay with a friend who has offered him a spare room for his first six months. We are focusing on practical skills that can create realistic opportunities for the boys, including plumbing, electrical work, and carpentry. These skills can provide pathways into small businesses and employment without requiring large amounts of capital to get started.
The counseling sessions have also revealed something very important. When the older boys meet without the younger children, they feel comfortable expressing themselves openly. They talk about the challenges they face, the habits they are trying to overcome, and the experiences from life on the streets that continue to affect them. These honest conversations are helping us understand their needs and provide more focused support.
Community partnerships are also creating opportunities for the boys to gain practical skills. Although only a few have been able to participate so far, these opportunities are encouraging more of them to think about learning skills and building a different future for themselves.
Finding suitable and affordable accommodation remains a challenge, and we are taking time to ensure that any future housing arrangement provides a safe and stable environment for the boys. For now, the focus remains on supporting those who are showing the greatest readiness for change and gradually extending the opportunities to others.
The journey is still at its beginning, but the progress is encouraging. What started as a difficult idea is slowly becoming a pathway toward skills, independence, and a life beyond the streets.