Best NabukwasiGift Best Nabukwasi
Age : 5 years
School Level : Nusery
This little girl, whose parents left her to fend for herself as they were taken by the AIDS virus, has been placed by Pastor John Bosco into the care of a kind elderly widow. Although she has lost her family she is well fed and in good health. This energetic little girl is friendly to everyone and brilliant in school. She loves to dance, sing and (of course) play with her schoolmates. She is headed for a bright future if she can find the means to pay her school fees as the widow caring for her has no financial support..
Mutegeki Samuel
Age : 10 years
School Level ; Primary 4
After the death of his parents (victimes of AIDS), this young man was taken in by the pastor John Bosco (founder of Christian Life Asembly). Impressed by the boys intelect Bosco decided to send Samuel to a good boarding school where he could receive a better education. A very good boy, he is very attached to the pastor’s own young daughter. An active creature, he is very helpfull around the house (where he passes his vacation). He loves animals and passes much of his free time bringing the goats to pasteur, feeding the dogs, and helping milk the cows. His greatest ambition is to be a doctor and save people so that no more children will go parentless.
Isaac Nawgoli
Age : 14 years
School level : Secondary 2
This young man was welcomed into the home of a christian widow contacted through the organisation after his parents died of AIDS. Issac is very humble ; he respects and listens to his elders. He speaks softly and politely but would prefere to remain silent and observe the world around him. As he is very intelligent, he does very well in school. Unfortunately schooling is expensive and he has not been able to pay his school fees.for three terms now. The school’s principle tolerance is begining to wane and Isaac’s hopes of a future carreer will soon be dashed.
K
asaija Steven
Age : 14 years
School level; Primary 6
This adolesent saw both his parents die when he was only three and a half years old. He was taken in by his grandmother who is poor and helpless. His older sister does most of the caretaking. Although he is a very bright student he will not be able to go to secondary school because the grandmother has no money. Forced into a cruel world he will soon be his familly’s provider with no education to help him find work.
Gerald Akulizewe
Age : 18 years
School level ; Secondary 4
This young man lost his parents to AIDS. The death of his parents left him homeless and penniless. Although he was a brilliant student he was kicked out of school; he had not paid his school fees for some time. He likes working in the fields (weeding, hieing, planting…) but his favorite chore is to collect firewood. His life has been strewn with hardships until now and this has made him a very serious boy. His dream is to become an engineer. To realise his goal he would love to be able to return to school.
Bright Robert
Age : 16 years
School level; Secondary 4
This calm young man lost his parents, taken by the AIDS virus, when he was eleven years old. His priciple care taker was then his 22 year old brother,who was rather preoccupied. Robert went hungry and displaid signs of severe malnutrition during this periode. Upon seeing the deteriorating situation John Bosco took the young boy under his wing and placed him in the care of a kind chiristian widow. Nicnamed Bishop because of his calm and humble caracter. He does well in school and has a strange dream for a boy his age. Robert dreams of becoming a father.
Makune Alfrank
Age : 19 years
School Level; Secondary 6
This young man lost his parents, taken by the AIDS virus, when he was twelve years old. Memories of his parents continue to haunt him and he is often very sad. He rents an apartement close to his school with other orphans who do not have the money to be boarders. He passes his vacations with 25 other orphans at pastor John Bosco’s home. He works hard and helps alot to organise activities for the younger orphans. He loves fine arts, playing chess and playing football. He has studied very hard and hopes to receive a scholarship to go to engineering school next year.
Asaba Richard
Age : 14 ans
Niveau Scolaire : Primaire 5
Richards parents were taken by the AIDS virus when he was nine years old. Finding himself alone in the world with his little sister he decided to go to the pastor John Bosco for help himself. His parents took good care of him and so he is in good physical and mental health (still a bit sad) and very srtrong. Very good in school, he likes to take refuge in the woods to meditate on his thoughts in peace. He listens to and watches the birds and would love to be able to buy himself a bird identifcation guide to learn the names of his companions. Later in life he wants to reforest Uganda or work as a park ranger to show tourist the natural marvels of his country.
Asiimwe Robert
Age : 17
School level: Secondary 1
After the untimely deaths of his parents this young man was raised by an improvrished widow who was a friend of the family. Unfortunately she did not have the means or the energy to feed the growing boy and he suffered the effects of a poorly bamanced diet. Childhood malnutrition has rendered him physically weak, he has trouble running, falls sick very easily, and has remained small because of growth problems. Despite these difficulties he helps much as he can and is eager to milk pastor Bosco’s cows. Robert would love to continue his secondary education but is lacking the funds. He also has trouble getting medication for his frequent illnesses.
Murungi Nobert
Age : 18
School level: Secondary 5
This young man lost both his parents, taken by the AIDS virus. He is very bright and interested in school. Above all he loves organising parades with his friends. During the holidays he organises the orphans to parade aroung, dancing and singing. No wonder he wants to become a police officer ! His free time is taken up by organising the younger orphans, and helping them with their chores. He always has a project on the go and wants to start raising and selling chickens. His sweet tooth may lead him into honey production as he believes the best place for sweet things is in his stomach.
Kembabazi Stella
Age : 13
School level: Primary 6
Both Stella’s parents died of AIDS when she was a toodler. Ever since then she has been living with various extended family members. She is a strong girl and loves sports. She can throw a shotput unlike any other. She is eager to help around the house and punctual where ever she goes (a unique quality in equatorial Africa). Despite her success in primary school she lacks the funds to go to secondary school. Like all young women her age in Uganda, Stella needs special care and education to avoid unwanted pregnancies, sexual harassement and forced marriages.
Beatrice Birunge
Age : 15
School level : Primary 7
This young women lost her parents, taken by the AIDS virus, when she was seven years old. She was taken in by her deaf grandmother. Never lacking motivation she does very well in school and spends her time taking care of her grandmother. The old women is blessed by the pressence of her grandaughter who is strong and a very good cook. Like all young women in Uganda , Beatrice need special care and education to protect her from unwanted pregnancies, rape, and forced mariages.
Moses Abigaba
Age : 4
School level: Nursery
Moses lost both his parents to AIDS when he was still a baby. Passed around to various family members the young orphan was finally put into a taxi, direction : John Bosco’s house. On Christmas day one and a half year old Moses was dropped off at the bottom of Bosco’s lane wearing only his tee-shirt. Fiverish, skiny and couphing, Moses still had the force to cry. Sad and scared at his young age all he knew was his name. After giving him a good meal and some warm milk Bosco brought him to the police station to try to find his parents. Reconising the youngster the policeman told the pastor the orphan’s sad story and advised him to keep the toodler if his wanted the boy to survive. Tender loving care (along with some vitamines and some medication) brought young Moses back to health. Today he has a bottomless pit for a stomach and considers Bosco’s family to be his own. A happpy child,Moses loves drumming, singing, and prays ethousiastically. He likes to watch the older children and always wants to grow faster to be like them.
Bright Adolf
Age : 11
School level: Primary 4
Adolf lost both his parent to the AIDS virus when he was only four years old. He was subsequently taken in by a penniless window, his grandmother’s friend. Unfortunatly Adolf’s misfortunes did not stop there. He was diagnosed with bone cancer when he was six and a half. John Bosco was asked to help and he miraculously raised the funds to opperate. Remouval of part of the left leg’s femur, followed by a 7 month hospital stay saved the orphans life. The next year and a half were spent learning to walk with crutches. The return to school was difficult as his opperation and recovery put him three years behind. Still not daunted Adolf threw himself into his studies with fervor and is now doing well in school. Unfortunately the cancer and subsequent operation left him weak and he still has to take antinflamatories and pain killers, medication that he does not have the money to buy.
Joshua Asiimwe
Age : 9
School level: Primary 4
AIDS took Joshua’s parents away while he was but a young boy. With no one to care for him he was welcomed into the Pastor Bosco’s own familly. He is very intelligent and can read english perfectly despite his young age. Always asking to learn more he does very well in school. Staw mats to cover the pastor’s dirt floors are this child’s speciality. He often gets carried away playing football and has to be called back to finish his chores. An ideal afternoon would include a big plate of rice with a delicious sauce (Bosco’s lovely wife often realises this wish). His favorite chore is bringing the goats to pasteur, running about suits him well. He dreams of eventually becoming a doctor.
Tadeo Kiiza
Age : 12
School level: Primary 3
At the age of seven Tadeo lost his parents to the AIDS virus. This loss left the young boy alone with his older brother, Clovice, who was only eleven at the time. Clovice could hardly look after himself let alone a younger sibbling. Tadeo suffered from malnutrition to a dangerous degree. Discovered by the village counsellor the boys were taken to stay with John Bosco. After two and a half years with the pastor Tadeo has returned to health. Unfortunately all the vitamines in the world will not cure the memory loss Tadeo still experiences (caused by prolonged malnutrition). His strength, however, has returned and he is always happy to lend a hand to collect fire wood and fetch water. Kind to all animals, Tadeo cooks sweet potatoes to feed the pastor’s skiny dogs. A happy child, he likes eating and playing with his friends. He would like to become a mecanic (a demanding job in Uganda with their third hand cars).
Nyakato Margret
Age : 13
School level : Primary 3
Margret lost both her parent to AIDS when she was five years old. The name Nyakato means female twin, but unfortunately Margret is no longer. Her sister died before the deaths of her parents. Although her uncle is her official gardien she often stays with John Bosco. She is enthousiastic and no amlount of house work could daunt her. She prays often and sings in the church choir. Like all young women in Uganda, Margret needs special attention to protect her from sexual harrassement, unwanted pregnancy and forced marriages.
Kasiime Grace
Age : 8
School level: Primary 2
Like most of the orphans in Uganda, Margrets parent died of AIDS. She was subsiquently taken in by a familly who could not really take care of her. Forced to leave school to help out around the house of her host family, she is two years behind in school. When, with the help of John Bosco, she was able to return to school she was ever more enthousiastic and motivated to do well. She loves jump rope and playing volleyball with her firends. She dreams of becoming a nurse.
Kemigisa Emily
Age : 8
School level: Primary 2
At three years of age Emily suffered the deaths of both her parents (taken by AIDS). She was welcomed into John Bosco’s family where she remains. She loves to dance, sing and is always inventing new games. She has a very strong will and her refusal to let others get the better of her often leads to fights. The invetable consequence is her own tears wether she wins or not (a kind heart wins over a stuborn character). Soon after, all is forgotten. She is a smart cookie and learns very quickly.
Reste Birungi
Age : 8
School level: Primary 2
This young girl lost her parents to the AIDS virus only a year ago (at the age of seven). Along with her younger sister, Reste was taken in by an old widow. She is actually a great help to the elderly lady who currently takes care of many orphans. Since Reste is the oldest, she has a motherly role with regard to the other orphans. She cleans the house, cooks, fetches firewood and is always the last to bed. Her host mother appreciates her help and Reste rarely leaves her side. Equally as hardworking in school as at home , she does very well. With the little spare time left for herself she enjoys dancing and singing. Her dream is to become a doctor and care for the people of her country. Contrary to the people who usually practice this profession, Reste has very nice handwriting.
Kabarwani Jane
Age : 13
School level: Primary 4
Only two years ago Jane lost her parent who were taken by the AIDS virus. She was therefore responsible for her parents during their long illnesses preceeding their deaths. Christian Life Assembly has placed her in the care of a generous widow and she finally has the oppertunity to return to school. She loves dancing , singing , and eating matoke (a type of boiled banana). She is a very big help and good company for the elderly lady. She would like to be a teacher. Like all girls her age in Uganda Jane needs special care and protection against sexual harassment, forced marriages and unwanted pregnancies.
Norah Karungi
Age : 10
School level : Primary 2
This young girl’s parents both died of AIDS on the same day. Norah was only five years old. Taken to John Bosco, along with her younger sister, she was place into the care of a kindly widow. Norah is a very smart girl. She respects her elders and acts humbly always. A passionate singer, Norah is part of the church choir. She likes doing her school work and reads anything she can get her hands on (unfortunately very few books are at her disposal).
Kyakyo Jackline
Age : 12
School level : Primary 5
This young girl lost both of her parents to the AIDS virus. Unfortunately her mother died before her father. This was unfortunate as he began to sexually harass his own young daughter. The brave girl managed to escape one day when her father attempted to rape her. She took refuge with the local pastor, John Bosco. When Bosco heard her story he went to pursecute the father but found him very sick. He died of AIDS soon after. She was put into the custody of a christian well wisher. As she was forced to discontinue her studies after the death of her mother, she is two years behind. Nevertheless she is very bright and eager to pursue the chance of an education. She loves to sing in the choir, to dance and to play with her friends. Jackline needs special attention because of her traumatising past. Despite all the affection the window gives to her she is easily frightened and does not like stangers. Like all girls her age in Uganda Jackline needs special attention and education to avoid unwanted pregnancies, forced mariages and sexual harassment.
Mary Kasinguzi
Age : 13
School level : Primary 6
Five years ago this young women lost her parents, taken by the AIDS virus. Mary was then taken in by her grandmother ; who died of old age only a year later. At this stage Mary was in desperate need of help and John Bosco decided to intervein. Mary is a very hard worker, not only at school but in the fields and the kitchen as well. She is very obediant and always in a good mood. Maybe her good humor is brought about by her constant dancing about…Because of her coming of age , Mary is at particular risk in Uganda as unwanted pregnancies, rape and forced marriages are commonplace.
Annet Komuhendo
Age : 13
School level : Primary 6
This young girl lost her parents six years ago. Both of them died of the AIDS virus. Christian Life Assembly put her into the care of a kindly christian widow. Annet never ceases to help the old women out around the house and to make her life easier. She plays lots of sports and can jump like a real kangaroo (she adapts to jumping rope as well as the long jump). In two years she will be in secondary school thanks to her good marks in school. Her biggest problem is her very painfull pre-menstrual cramps. Extra care is needed to protect Annet from sexual harassment, rape and forced marriages ; all too common in Uganda.
Junior Burungi
Age : 12 ans
School level : Primary 4
The begining of this young man’s life has been particularly difficult. His father used to work in a factory and parked his bicycle along side hiq fellow worker’s bikes. One day, after a long day of work, Juniors father mistook his bicycle for someone elses. As he rode away the real owner emerged and accused him of theft. He was immedeately stoned to death by an angry mob. Junior was four years old. To make matters worse his mother, freshly widowed, was chased from the village because of her husbands mistake. She took refuge in the kind heart of John Bosco. She died of AIDS soon after, leaving Junior and his three younger sibblings to the mercy of Bosco who kept him by his side. Junior’s uncle has recently come to fetch the boy as he needs help on his farm. Despite all of his hardships Junior is still a happy creature, but very mature for his age. His main distraction in life is dancing traditional dances.
Jane Kabasinguzi
Age : 13
School level: Primary 5
This young women lost her parents, taken by the AIDS virus when she was nine years old. Forced to leave school to look after her parents before their death’s, she is therefore a few years behind in school. Along with three other sibblings, Jane stays with her illiterate grandmother who does not have the means or the will to pay for her education. Never the less she finds the time to work fervorishly in the fields, at home and at school. She enjoys taking care of children and her compassion for others seems to be sending her along the path of a nursing career. At her tender age Jane needs special care and education to avoid unwanted pregnancies, rape, and forced marriages.