This was an industrial area in the past years. Many people came to this area seeking greener pastures. But then, in 1974, the collapse began (when a previous Ugandan president threw out Asian investors and the factories closed). 

Many of the handicapped resorted to begging, and orphans to sex work. Youth were committing many sorts of crime. I decided to become involved because our younger generation is being wasted with AIDS and unemployment.

Finding hope for a lost generation

We have many orphans in the community due to AIDS. Many younger children, from 7-17, are homeless because their fathers have no employment and they cannot pay school fees for the children. 

The boys who have no restrictions are on the street very early in the morning. At 5 am, he is on the streets looking for metal scraps which he takes and sells. The younger ones who can't look for metals go on the streets to beg. After selling the metals, he buys fuel to sniff. Some smoke opium. He remains the whole day drunk.

After living so long with this community, I saw their needs and I was touched in my heart to do something. The people here have a strong impact on my heart. Sometimes those we talk to change their behaviour. They look for work, like washing clothes for people, or carrying garbage.  I dream that one day the orphans, the handicapped and all the disadvantaged groups can also earn a living when the ICT centre works well and the internet cafe is fixed.  

Creating the path to a good life

My motto is Where there is Love, There Is Unity. I learned this lesson when I had problems, and no one came for my rescue.  Now, we are working as a team. We are three, but from the bottom of my heart I feel that if I do make this stuation known to many, we can help one onother to stand and support those who are unable. I feel hopeful when I see someone changed, with a good life, (for example, when someone becomes) employed, managing his/her problems without being a begger.

A day in the life 

I work as a taxi driver and a pastor. When it's a good day, I wake up very early in the morning 5:30am and take my children to school. I have four children– one girl and three boys. I start running the taxi, looking for passengers. We don’t have trains. We have no public transport. Only the taxi. Pheew!...........no rest till 10:00 pm, when I have to be on the computer.

I get someone to drive for me in order to see that our project moves.  I have dinner with my wife and children in the evening. We eat posho and beans. Posho is the cheapest food here, made from maize. You boil water, then pour in the maize flour and stir. My hobby is helping others. I preach in the church on Sunday. I tell the people, "love your neighbour as you love yourself." I feel good when I do something for someone who doesn’t have.

Connecting with hope and help online 

The internet is where I got hope for our future. It has played a very big role for us to get known to the world. I always try to spend one hour each day (online). Some official days, I use more than five hours. It costs me almost $30US dollars a week. I hope the Neighbours understand how much I think of them. The people here are poor, they are helpless, yet they now have hope that one day they will be able to have a better life thanks to NABUUR.

About Nabuur

I found Nabuur because I was looking for people who can help us get started. Nabuur came up, and I registered . NABUUR has helped me so much. Without NABUUR, I would have been not heard. My community would be even more behind. No one would have known (about the people of Jinja Central). They would remain beggers. I think of NABUUR as my relative. All the people who have helped me are friendly. I am part of NABUUR in blood with all my heart.