“I never had hope that I would be anywhere in the future until I met Hope for Children, and life never remained the same.
I’m proud to be among those who can empower and bring change in the vulnerable communities, because I understand what it means to be in the space.”

Aisha first became known to Hope for Children, our team in Uganda, when she was 13 years old.

She was taken away from the DRC border where she grew up by a family friend who promised a better life in Kampala, but she found herself in the slum settlement Namuwongo, connected to the streets, hungry and neglected. The Hope for Children team enrolled Aisha on the Walk to School programme, fulfilling her basic needs and sending her to school and eventually university. Now Aisha is an essential staff member, using her lived experience to support the children of Namuwongo.

Can you tell us about a typical day in your job?

First thing in the morning I respond to urgent emails and highlight things am required to include on the week plan. Most days, I go to our learning centres to support the literacy team and report back to the office. I follow up on issues with individual children, support struggling families, plan for training sessions and support the field team to implement and do their work. 

I try to leave my desk and fit in some breaks to stretch a bit and sometimes a cup of tea or lunch break to keep awake! This is usually very difficult, especially because we have parents, children and community members walking into the office seeking support, before they are redirected to whoever they want to speak, I speak with them, really because of where my desk sits. 

Why is what we do in Namuwongo so important to children?

Wow! Good question, it’s very important because it addresses so many problems in the community. Namuwongo is associated with all different kinds of pollution and poor living conditions. Children are living in hunger, misery, poverty, neglect. They are exploited and not enjoying their childhoods. They have no hope for the future and are full of negativity, depression and rage.

We address the problem of the increasing number of toddlers that are supposed to be in school but are left to wander aimlessly in the community. And their care givers or parents are either young mothers who are also still children themselves, or young fathers, who are victims of traumatic events and thus this vicious cycle.  

Homes in Namuwongo have no privacy. Usually there is only one room for more than four people. This carries risks of abuse, lack of sleeping space, and no where for children to study. And caregivers are often ignorant about the importance of early childhood education and mainstream education.

All the work we do through Literacy and Lights, Girls United, Walk to School, and our Welfare, Trauma and Wellness projects address the problems of abuse, neglect, violence, and conflict. It gives children hope for a bright future and brings a smile to their faces. They can play happily knowing that they are loved and cared for by other people – even by those they have never seen. 

What do you love most about your job? 

I love and enjoy being able to encourage a child or parent in need and to be in a position to support the children and their families. This gives me joy.

Because most know my story. Growing up as a direct beneficiary of the projects speaks volumes. This gives the children more hope for a better future. They are encouraged to keep pushing forward. 

Do you have any messages for our supporters? 

First and foremost, I’m so thrilled and grateful for the tireless support that you render to the children and communities at large through all the projects and interventions. The people you could not have met or seen, but they are so grateful always when the team meet with them. The support you give wipes away tears of so many and empowers them to have the best of themselves knowing that there are people who care and love them.  

The impact of your tireless support might seem invisible but just to assure you, it is always working out for good and time is always telling.