Two weeks ago Wednesday, I was walking with the boys after school and something seemed off. They told me it was because they had to go stay at their father's house (they normally stay with their mother close to Kampala, about 4 miles from school). Their mother was planning to leave for a village up north for a while; she needed money. I had known for a while that things were tough, but never exactly how desperate things were. The father lives quite a bit closer to school, but the boys were terrified; their father's wife was horrible to them, she beat the boys and shamed them all throughout the neighborhood so no one would dare help the two of them (unfortunately this seems to be the rep most step mothers around here get). In seeing how sad they were, I knew I had to do something, but I wasn't quite sure what I could or even should do. I didn't know if their mother would even still be in town and I certainly didn't want to overstep boundaries, but the thought of these boys with that other woman broke my heart.
Fortunately, their mother was home when we arrived and in talking with her (through Espware, since my Swahili is not quite up to par!) I learned she, and therefore the boys, were actually being chased out of their house quite literally. She could not pay the rent - which was approximately $20 a month. However, in staying in that house, the boys were still too far away from school and transport was another $30/month. Then add in the cost of food, and this was rapidly becoming a situation far bigger than I imagined and it weighed heavy on my heart. Everything in me wanted to just give her what I could, but in doing so I knew I'd be betraying myself and even her; I would not have felt right about just giving her the money outright without helping her back on her feet and learning how to do so for herself; and thankfully Jacques was right there with me, ready to help when I talked with him the next day. He told me that while many of the kids we work with come from struggling families, this was one such case that was extremely desperate and something real had to be done.
Celebrating the boys move with some ice cream!
Despite his expression, I promise Espware was happy....
Now 2 weeks later, the boys and their mother have moved into a new place in Ndejje-about 10 minutes from where I stay and a short walk to school. As Shandrack exclaimed last week, they live "close to 4 of our friends families-now we can see them all the time!!" I feel better that the boys are safe, with their mother, and close to school; however, I'm really hoping to get their mother back to work so she can earn a living for her family. She has no help from the father and as if the situation isn't tough enough, it's very hard for women to get a decent job here. Jacques did tell me a bit about an association in town which, after paying a fee to join, women are grouped together and are then helped to start a restaurant in town. This group of women is responsible for the day-to-day operations of running the place and at the end of the month, each is paid a salary. A refreshing entrepreneurial spirit, for sure.Despite his expression, I promise Espware was happy....
My humble plea
Because of donors like YOU supporting this work from the very beginning, I was fortunate to be able to help their mother pay for the first 3 months of rent. However, our work isn't quite yet finished. I would love to be able to help their mother get into the association so she can really create a life for her family. The association fee is about $220 and with that, she can begin earning a permanent living. So I am asking you to consider, if you can, donating in any amount to this family. I can promise you it will go directly to getting this woman back on her feet.
Espware & Shandrack outside their new house!!!!
Make a Donation Here
Under designation, please put my name & "For the boys"
THANK YOU for making this much possible already!
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