Tom's dream of going to school has finally come true..
Tom Salutes you! This March we were able to help 26 more children to enroll in primary school because of your support – the money you help us raise though sales, donations and events is transforming the lives of children like Tom in Kampala.
This is a film from Tom and Teopista – Tom is now 7 years old and was ecstatic when he found out his dream of enrolling in school would finally come true. Please watch so they can tell you for themselves.
Tom’s father abandoned him with his Step mum when he was just over a year old. She did not not care for him properly and he became severely malnourished and seriously ill.
When Teopista (his Aunty) heard how he was being treated she went to fetch him, She got him the medical attention he needed and became his permanent guardian.
They live together in one tiny room and Teopista ran a small roadside business – she would sell sweets and cakes she would make around 2,000 Ugandan shillings (0.55p) which they used to buy food for that day - until last year when the Ugandan government banned roadside traders and life became even more of a struggle.
Luckily, the situation was bought to the attention of the women’s group we work with in Bwaise and now, with your help, Tom has just completed his first term in school - he has a new uniform, shoes, school books and gets at least one meal a day at school.
The women in the groups we work with walk the streets of the slums seeking out children and adults in dire need of their help.
Their support often means the difference the difference between life and death in areas with little or no social services or protection.
Whether it is education grants or skills training that helps guardians earn an income. Every penny we raise through sales and donation goes towards project that are making life better for kids like Tom.
Weebale Nnyo!
(Which means ‘Thank you very much’ Luganda - the main language spoken in Kampala)