A couple of parishioners from OLGC were able to be in Uganda this last week. Here is the report Fr Gerald gave them about my daughters at the House of Jjajja Don in Kampala.
A report presented to OLGC members to the Home of the girls in St Kizito, on 12 January 2013.
Some Developments of the Members: Rehabilitation Home 12.01.2013
Dear distinguished visitors and friend of St Kizito from OLGC-USA.
This home/hostel was acquired with the help of Deacon Don Leach, who solicited for the first 12 months rental fee to house some 14 girls from the streets of slums of Bwayiise. An agreement was signed with the Land-lord (Hadji Ahammad Ntambala), on 20 September 2011, but the house had to undergo some major repairs first. The tenancy agreement was later renewed for the next 12 months to end on 30th September 2013.
The girls started using this home on 14th October 2011, assisted by SKOLGC members. It was put under the guidance of KCSC headed by Ms Olive Bwana, for one had to consider their vulnerability and rehabilitation not withstanding their reproductive health. Andrew Yong did a lot in identifying a number of these girls from the streets, and some other people have been giving this home spiritual and moral support for a difference.
In case I am away, as the coordinator and as the in-charge, Ms Gorrete K. Musoke and Mr Sammy Musoke are always available to do the needful.
Allow me here to bring to your attention an update of the Girls’ Project for proper mapping:
1. Mariam Namatungo came into the house in October 2011. She started school early last year (2012), in St John the Baptist, Ggaba Primary Teachers’ College. She studies “Early Childhood Development. It is a 2 years – 6 terms Course. She will graduate with a Grade III Certificate awarded by Kyambogo University, Kampala - Uganda. School dues: Ug. Shs. 577,000/=, plus other School requirements Ug. Shs. 150,000/= termly; total amount required termly is Ug. Shs. 727,000/= (Seven hundred twenty seven thousand only), i.e. total amount required for academic year 2013 will be Ug. Shs. 727,000/= x 3 terms = Ug. Shs. 2,181,000/= (two million one hundred eighty one thousand Uganda Shillings only); an equivalent of Us $ 883, when 1 $ is equivalent to Ug. Shs 2470/=
Date of birth: 25th December 1991.
2. Rachael Namutebi did not come into the house; she had received a job in Namungoona, - a suburb of Kampala.
3. Roy Nabukko did not report into the house. She had promised to join the house later. She instead started some petty business on her own.
4. Amina Nakawungu is in the house; she has acquired candle and Crisps or chips making skills, now busy acquiring sewing machine skills.
Date of birth: 23rd July 1993.
5. Juliet Nakafeero is in the house; she has acquired candle and crisps or chips making skill, as well as shoe making by her own initiative accompanied by a certificate. Her shoe making requirements need to be put into consideration. She is now busy acquiring sewing machine skills. Juliet has two children in the house:
A) Steven Sserungaya (boy) is 3 years and 7 months old and ready next year 2013 to start Nursery School.
B) Bashir Kirangwa (boy) is 6 months old.
Date of birth: 21 July 1991
6. Madina Ndagire Nakabuuubi is in the house; she has acquired candle and crisps or chips making skills. She is now busy acquiring sewing machine skills.
Date of birth: 04th December 1991.
7. Jackie Nabbumba had disappeared and returned. Unfortunately, she re-disappeared and last seen in the house on 21st October 2012; but still trying to trace her whereabouts.
8. Fiona Namugrwa is in the house; she wants to do hair styles or hair dressing (Saloon). Fiona has two children in the house:
A) Shakira Najjingo (girl) is 3 years and 6 months old.
B) Paulo Anthony Ssemuju (boy) is 4 months old.
Date of birth: Unknown (We agreed to celebrate her birthday on August 15th each year)
9. Regina Nantabadde is in the house. She joined Senior 1 in Crane Hill Secondary School, located in Kawaala – Makerere, this ending academic year, which she started in February 2012. N.B.: Her school is classified among the Universal Secondary Education (USE) provision, and leaves a lot to be desired including lack of teaching staff; scholastic materials; to mention but a few; and at times miss classes due to frequent floods due to heavy downpours in the area. One would recommend Regina to change from Crane Hill, and join Emmanuel College – Kazo (EMMACO) in 2013 as a resident learner for stability and follow up, where Clare Namirembe studies from.
Regina will require Us $ 800 (Ug. Shs. 1,976,000/=), including School dues and requirements in the Boarding Sections at EMMACO during the academic year 2013.
Regina has also acquired candle making and chips or crisps making skills; and now busy with sewing machine skills during her Christmas holidays.
Date of birth: 15th June 1994.
10. Eve Namuli is in the house. She had joined school in February 2012, but absconded since June 2012, and she is reluctant or seems not ready to resume classes any more, despite a number of admonitions from different and interested parties.
Eve has acquired candle and crisps or chips making skills. She is now busy acquiring sewing machine skills.
Date of birth: ... August 1997. Exact date is not known to her.
11. Agnes Nagaddya is in the house. She has acquired candle and crisps or chips making skills. She is now busy acquiring sewing machine skills.
Date of birth: 22 May 1993.
12. Juliet Nakku had entered into the house at the beginning; but she stayed in the house for only 2 months, and she later disappeared from the house to an unknown destination. Juliet Nakku has never been seen again.
13. Harriet Nakabugo did not come into the house. It is reported that she had entered into “marriage”, but divorced and later got a mental problem. Her aunt took her into the village, and she was never seen again.
Sewing Project:
- All girls have taken on this project with a keen interest and enthusiasm since the 26th November 2012. It occupies some of their considerable time and concentration.
- Ms Flavia Nabukalu is in charge of the sewing project. She instructs (teaches them sewing skills) them 3 days in a week: 1) Mondays; 2) Wednesdays and 3) Fridays.
- It is hoped that the girls will be in position to produce something tangible on their own within a period of 6 months.
- The instructor charges Ug. Shs. 50,000/= per head monthly, i.e. 8 girls x 6 months x Ug. Shs. 50,000/= i.e. total amount required for the Instructor will be Ug. Shs. 2,400,000/= (an equivalent of Us. $ 972).
- This project will also require the girls to solicit for some money and be able to buy some roles or pieces of cloths for the various designs, styles, attires, models, etc…
Challenges: Chips, Candles, and Catering Services
- The girls had acquired splendid skills of making crisps or chips and other stuffs; but the marketing skills are still inadequate, packaging, expiry dates, labeling, etc… plus appropriate accountability for both products and proceeds need to be put in place.
- Unfortunately, a number of people in the community, who would have been of great help and supportive to both these girls and their activities after abandoning the streets, still look at them with a low opinion, discriminated upon, despised and calling them names of their former livelihood: “… you prostitutes, who can eat your… etc… “, publicly. This does not make it an easy deal for the girls to carry out their business (candles, chips and catering services) transactions smoothly, effectively and profitably.
- Perhaps one might end up putting in place a stall or a lock-up, where the girls’ products will be easily exhibited from for easy accessibility and marketing.
Conclusion:
Thanks for your concern and valuable presence to the cause of humanity!
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