Jane, not her real name is one of the beneficiaries of Formal Education Program studying in Primary one whose mother is currently ill. This miserable situation has caused severe stress to the family and is contributing to stress-induced sickness for the mother and enhanced child vulnerability. Jane’s situation is now manifesting emotional and behavioral difficulties which are affecting her education and wellbeing.
Currently, the family is homeless after eviction from their family home formerly rented in the slums of Katwe. Like any other child facing similar situations, these happenings have imposed difficult set of stressors and adversities including poor and late diet, and complete lack of meals. The family is also experiencing inadequate basic needs resulting from lack of income formerly contributed by Jane’s mother now seriously sick.
This undesirable situation is not only affecting Jane but also her siblings left behind with mother after the father left them. It is now coming to four years without hearing from him. The mother is bedridden and Jane is also sickly. Like before, the family is finding it hard to find school requirements.
UCC Social worker paid a visit to the family where she observed miserable and heart touching situations with Jane’s brother taking care of the mother and Jane too despite him being young. Currently, the family is experiencing emotional struggles which keep on draining their energies and morale, coupled with a lot of pressure and plenty of stress resulting from early responsibilities and lack of hope. Thanks to UCC which has already drawn a programme of conducting weekly visits and counselling sessions to support this family and others going through similar situations.
Further observations are undertaken to identify families in the community which are not enlisted with UCC but experiencing severe stress or depression, or any other psychological and physiological challenges likely to result into fateful outcomes. UCC is also updating its data base of professional services provided within the locality and adjacent areas. With this list and contacts, many local families will be supported with both specialized and non-specialized services.
Special regards go to MEM and other partners both local and international that continue to work with UCC in extending humanitarian services to needy local communities. UCC is now a point of reference for upcoming community-based organizations, educational institutions and other development agencies seeking to establish country wide and zonal interventions. UCC’s philosophy is to bear witness to expanded humanitarian work blossoming all over the country.