By Joan Townsend | Executive Director, Retrak America
As activities at the Tudabujja Halfway Home wind down, the programs have moved to Retrak’s site in the Kibuli area of Kampala. For our final update on Tudabujja, we thought we would let a Tudabujja “alum” named Chris tell you his story in his own words. Chris lost both of his parents to HIV when he was 12 years old. He and his younger brother were sent to live with a paternal aunt, who accepted them into the family despite their financial struggles:
“Our maternal grandmother continued to give us support even after our mum passed away. She sent us tuition fees to make sure we went to school, but sometimes auntie could use the money to solve other immediate problems that were at hand. Because of this, we were sent away from school from time to time. I decided to leave home and my young brother and come to Kampala to look for some money to use back home.
“In town, I tried to work collecting metal scrap and bottles but from what I got at the end of the day nothing remained to send home. For the whole year I spent in the city I saved nothing so I decided to come to Retrak, but never with the intention of going back home. I wanted to get a better place to stay than at my auntie’s place; and if at all I was successful I would go back and pick my younger brother as well.
“I have found Retrak a very nice place and I love the advice from our uncles, aunties and mamas at Tudabujja. They tell us good words. When I grow up and get a job, I want to come back and also support Retrak and the children on the streets.
“At Tuda I learned how to do farming, and how to play football. When I go back home I will miss all the mothers in Tudabujja plus the papa and all the other friends of mine. I want Retrak to take me back to school.”
Shortly after writing this, after two years living on the streets, Chris was resettled back home with his aunt and enrolled in school. One of his relatives called Retrak recently to report that he is still home and doing well, and to thank us for our work. In turn, we would like to thank you for making this work possible.
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By Joan Townsend | Executive Director, Retrak America
By Joan Townsend | Executive Director, Retrak America
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