Rebuilding the lives of street children in Uganda

The latest Retrak success story of a street child reunited with his family comes from Cyrus*, a 7-year-old boy from Nanyale village in Eastern Uganda.

Cyrus grew up living with his grandparents, as his mother left when he was young and his father had to work. One summer, Cyrus went to spend his school holiday with his father in Kampala, who would leave him in his neighbor’s care while he worked. Cyrus soon ran away, frightened by a local circumcision preparation dance, known as an ‘Embalu’. Unable to find his way home to his grandparents, Cyrus slept on the streets. He survived by begging for money for food, and when unsuccessful, was forced to scavenge for leftovers from restaurant bins.

But one night, Cyrus and a few of his friends were rounded up by the police, who then referred him to Retrak’s Bulamu drop-in center. Here, Cyrus received care and protection, getting along well with the other children despite not speaking the same language as them. Cyrus was then moved to the Retrak Tuddabujja halfway home, where he told his social workers details about his previous primary school and his grandparents. This crucial turning point gave Cyrus’ social workers hope that he could be returned home.

Anthony, a security guard at Retrak’s clubhouse, went on to visit Cyrus’ village, showing locals a photograph of him in the hope that someone would know where his family could be found. Thankfully, Anthony was in luck. Teachers from his school recognized Cyrus from the photo, and were able to escort Anthony to the house of his grandparents.

On arrival, Anthony presented the photograph of Cyrus to his grandmother, who broke down in tears. “We give thanks to the Lord”, she cried, upon learning that after 6 months of no word, her grandson was safe. She explained how Cyrus’ father had contacted them, petrified he had been kidnapped for sacrifice. After trying all possible ways they could to find him, they were left to fear the worst.

Many children like Cyrus find themselves with no option but to live on the streets, simply because they cannot find or make their way home. Thanks to the support of our donors, Retrak continues to work with young people to retrace their families and return them home.

*Name changed to protect the child’s identity

Links:

• Retrak's Website

Twenty years ago, two expats living in Kampala, Uganda, started playing pick-up soccer after work with a group of street boys. Little did they know in 1994 that over the course of the next two decades, this soccer club would evolve into a highly effective and respected organization that would change the lives of thousands of vulnerable boys and girls and their families in five African countries.

Oscar was one of the hundreds of children who walked through the gates of Retrak’s Clubhouses last year, taking that first step off of the streets and into a new life. After enduring many months of hardship alone on the streets of Kampala, Oscar found love and support at the Clubhouse. Oscar was a bit older than most of the children in Retrak's program, and with the guidance of a Retrak social worker, decided to pursue vocational training in metal welding with the hope of someday supporting himself independently. Retrak supported Oscar through his training and apprenticeship and assisted him as he transitioned into independent living, supplying him with support for accommodation, food, and a few simple tools.

Oscar is living completely independently now, working as a welder and saving money to start his own welding business and hire an assistant. He is forever grateful to Retrak, saying,

“I can’t imagine where I am now compared with two years back when food and shelter were my priority concerns. Today I can afford to eat what I choose and have a rented room for my home. Retrak you mean the world to me for without you I would not have had a chance to live again”

Our work is vital to children like Oscar and to the thousands more like him who are living outside of the protection of a loving family. We wouldn’t be able to do this work without the support of donors like you. Thank you for helping make our work possible!