Tudabujja, which means "we are being made new", houses 90 Ugandan street children every year as they transition from street life back to the community. The harsh life on the streets of Kampala leaves many children with health problems. Medical care is therefore a key part of the program at Tudabujja. The project nurse visits Tudabujja on a regular basis to ensure that all children are fit and healthy. The children also receive education on health and hygiene.
Increasing poverty, limited resources, natural disasters and HIV are all factors which affect family breakdown and drive children to the streets. Street children have no protection and are among the most vulnerable children in the world. They have often suffered abuse and are likely to suffer further trauma, especially as they lack many of the coping mechanisms necessary to establish a safe and secure life. Children who stay at Tudabujja often have medical conditions that need to be treated.
Enabling street children to reach the point of reintegration into family and community is a long process. Each child is unique and needs to be given the time and means to make the transition from the streets back to the community.Tudabujja was developed as a space where children could stay for a short period to begin the adjustment from street life to family life. The medical clinic ensures that children are fit and healthy, and that they are aware of health and hygiene issues.
Tudabujja will house 90 children, providing them with education, sports and recreation, agricultural training, nutritious meals and medical care. Living in a family setting, the children's emotional, psycho-social and physical health are restored in preparation for their reintegration into family and community life. The agricultural skills and knowledge the children gain enables them to contribute meaningfully to household income and the well-being of their families once they are returned home.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).