By Gerever Niwagaba | Executive Director
Despite dramatic improvements in survival, nutrition, and education over recent decades, today's children face an uncertain future.
Climate change, ecological degradation, migrating populations, conflict, widespread inequalities, and destructive commercial practices threaten the health and future of children in every country.
Even in rich countries, many children go hungry or live in conditions of absolute poverty, especially those belonging to marginalised social groups—including indigenous populations and ethnic minorities.
However, we can all do something to give a young person a better future for example our community of supporters at New Hope Children’s hostel have been able to help a young man called Felex, who is 18 years old, to believe he has a future.
“My parents are peasant farmers and I have 5 siblings. When I was 10 years old, I began developing lumps under my skin and after treatment they reappeared. I was then sent for a biopsy and was diagnosed with skin cancer and was referred to the Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI) in Kampala. In 2016 I commenced chemotherapy treatment for the next 2 years.
My battle with the cancer forced me to drop out of school due to frequent hospitalizations as I was falling behind and it also impacted my self-esteem. You are mindful and fearful of your own mortality as I have witnessed friends passing away during time in the hostel and at the hospital.
During the COVID-19 pandemic my treatment was disrupted due to travel restrictions, causing a recurrence of the lumps and deterioration in my health. However, after the travel restrictions were lifted, I resumed treatment at UCI. Concerned about my condition and the family financial difficulties, I was referred to New Hope Children's Hostel for closer monitoring and support.
I had a place to stay, meals and transport to treatment. The emotional support and care from the staff was also invaluable during the difficult times. I was very excited to have been one of the young men at the hostel chosen by The Hope Creator President of Rotary club of Kireka Movers Rtn Sarah Komugisha, to learn a skill to assist me to find work after I went home. I enrolled in the welding class and I did struggle due to my ill health but the president encouraged me to continue and finish. I completed my final exam and plan to someday start my own welding business. I want to support my family as they have sacrificed a lot for me to get well.”
Felex can now think about having a future.
Each of us has the potential to help one child either through sponsoring their education, or providing food and shelter, access to medical support, the list is endless. And the best way you can do this is by providing a small donation to a charity providing this support to disadvantaged children.
It is surprising how a little help can go a long way. GlobalGiving has many projects aimed at helping children throughout the world. These children can’t do it alone.
If each of us helped just ONE child how good would that be.
By Gerever Niwagaba | KHC Acting Executive Director & Co Founder
By Gerever Niwagaba | Acting Executive Director & Co Founder
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