Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Dan Wandera
Published on 2024-02-01 10:40:09
Eight children who live at the Happy Times Child Care Home in Luweero District are currently facing uncertainties about being able to join secondary school, even after excelling at the 2023 Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE). The children are among the more than 170 who are housed at the care home, with most of them having been abandoned as toddlers and having little hope of reconnecting with their guardians and relatives.
One of the affected children, Jacklyne Nakijjoba Birungi, expressed her gratitude towards the management of the Happy Times Child Care Home for providing her with care. Despite excelling in her PLE with an aggregate score of 9, she is unsure if the home’s management will sponsor her at the secondary school level. Birungi has been at the child care home since she was about one month old and aspires to become a medical doctor to help the disadvantaged members of their community.
Similarly, Suuna Mulangira, who has been at the child care home for 12 years, scored an aggregate of 12 in the PLE. He expressed concern about the uncertainty of being able to afford school fees and other basic necessities, despite his academic achievements. Other children at the care home, including Eunice Nakyadda, Daniel Muwanguzi, Jovia Hope Namuyomba, Maria Stella Nambasa, and Brian Kuteesa, also have similar fears about continuing their education.
The programme manager at Happy Times Child Care Home, Mr. Fredrick Kasule, called on well-wishers to support the children in their pursuit of secondary education, citing the limited resources available at the care home. He emphasized the importance of providing opportunities for the children to progress academically, especially given their disadvantaged backgrounds.
In light of these challenges, the district probation officer, Ms. Joyce Namigadde, revealed that Luweero has a total of 11 child care homes, highlighting the widespread need for support in ensuring the education and well-being of vulnerable children in the district.
The children at the Happy Times Child Care Home are in need of financial assistance and support in order to continue their education and pursue their aspirations. Their exceptional performance in the PLE reflects their potential and determination to overcome the obstacles they face. It is crucial for the community, school proprietors, and other stakeholders to come together and provide the necessary resources to ensure that these children have the opportunity to access secondary education and pursue their dreams.
Read the original article on Uganda Monitor
