Richard, like any other child with early childhood misfortunes and enduring experience, has his character and behaviors partially defined by these hardships. He lost his addictive father who battled with drugs and alcohol for a prolonged period. His father rarely considered education as an investment nor a tool for social change. He never took him to school, but rather frequently told him to go organizations which have money to waste like paying school fees for children.
When the father died, he stayed with the mother with whom he confined his troubles. His mother didn’t have a job to cater for the wellbeing of the family and their survival was mainly through begging. Despite all these short comings, Richard’s life has evolved to a new creature full of energy, aspirations and optimism.
Richard resolved to run away to the streets with anticipation that life is better and promising. He joined gangs which engaged in every kind of misbehaviors for purposes of survival. On several occasions, he faced the hostility and roughness of the authorities for engaging in activities commonly known as antisocial. However, unlike his peers, he socialized well with adults that worked in the informal sector where their depot was situated. These people welcomed him through giving him errands and other kind of works which helped him to survive.
Kampala. They support them with sanitary towels, hold self-motivation sessions, provide skills training and many others. Gabriel, was also super delighted saying that this was over due though he thought about it long before. He thanked UCC for the initiative. Andrew, showed happiness to hear again from his long-time friends, he assured them that he will ensure that he continues to engage UCC management to fully support the initiative since he is now placed at UCC secretariat at the moment. Viola, welcome alumnae and encouraged them to keep sharing. Fred, the Director of UCC welcomed everyone for sharing and sparing time to attend.
During the mobilization process, a WhatsApp group was set up and managed by Viola, UCC social worker and Andrew, an old student now providing technical support in ICT department at UCC. 25 alumnae have already been enlisted on the group, 2 in South Africa, and 23 in Uganda. More are being identified and will soon be put on the list. The purpose of this initiative is to form an active Alumni association which aims to achieve the following objectives; be a platform to discuss and share issues of self-development, continuity of UCC scholarship programme, develop and maintain an updated list of former beneficiaries and their associated engagements, act as a forum for exchange of ideas on academic, cultural and social issues of the day by organizing and coordinating reunion activities, encourage, foster and promote close relations among the alumni themselves, and to assist and support the efforts of UCC in obtaining funds for development.
In order to achieve these objectives, members will contribute to the annual programme which will reflect timelines, persons responsible and the various activities that will be conducted by the association. The document will be shared with our partners MEM based in Belgium to solicit for their guidance and counsel. Going forward, UCC will ensure that MEM participates in zoom meetings whenever it is convenient for them. UCC secretariat will share updates as events unfold through its newsletter.
UCC identified Richard in one of its outreach programmes in down town Kampala. Richard, like other street involved children, hardly wanted to leave the streets because of the easy earned money received every day. UCC social workers held a session near their depot purposely to attract them so that they join in return. UCC always moved with a team of musicians who performed first to steal the attention of the onlookers. Richard with his colleagues looked at what happened but remained hesitant to be pulled away easily.
Though they remained distant, they absorbed every message communicated by the social workers. Frequent visits and continued referrals made by UCC staff to go to UCC Centre reassured them of the seriousness and competence of the organization. This resulted Richard and colleagues into joining UCC for rehabilitation. He went through rehab and responded very well to the modules that he became ready for integration into mainstream formal education training. He rejoined primary section and later completed secondary education through the financial support of MEM. Richard has always been a bright and hardworking boy who performed well throughout all his studies. When Richard reached Senior four, he could not go further because of his average performance. He decided to do a plumbing course which he always desired.
The course took him two years of study. He completed it this year 2021 after being extended due to Covid-19. Richard is now a professional plumber ready to join the world of work. We thank Richard for hard work and resilience. Further appreciation goes to MEM and sponsor Inge Weber for all the support given to him.