How Joy for Children Uganda Supports Vulnerable Children in Kampala
Across Kampala’s informal settlements such as Bukoto and Mulago, many children grow up in environments marked by poverty, poor sanitation, overcrowding, and limited access to healthcare and social support. In these communities, even minor illnesses can quickly become serious due to limited financial resources and inadequate access to medical care.
Supporting Sick Children and Vulnerable Families
Through our community outreach initiatives, we continue to work closely with vulnerable children and families by providing psychosocial support, educational activities, life skills, and emergency assistance aimed at improving children’s wellbeing and protecting their right to a safe and healthy childhood. We also conduct home visits to support children suffering from illness and to assist their families during difficult times.
Visiting Timothy in Bukoto
In Bukoto, the team visited Timothy Mwine, a 9-year-old boy who had been suffering from severe headaches for over two weeks. Despite seeking medical treatment from Naguru Hospital, Timothy’s condition had not improved. To support the family, the organization provided food items including rice and sugar to contribute to his nutrition and wellbeing.
Timothy’s grandmother and family expressed gratitude for the support and kindness shown to them, demonstrating the importance of emotional and community-based support for vulnerable families.
Supporting Trinidad in Mulago
In Mulago, the outreach team visited Trinidad Maria Kalanzi, a 6-year-old child and active participant in the children’s activities program. Trinidad had been suffering from a bacterial infection characterized by high fever and vomiting. Her younger sister was also affected by the same illness.
After learning about the family’s situation, we went to visit her and provided rice and sugar to support the household. During the visit, emphasis on the importance of hygiene and cleanliness was made. This was done mainly because bacterial infections remain common among children living in densely populated slum communities.
These visits highlight the organization’s commitment to not only supporting children socially and emotionally but also responding to urgent family needs within the community.
Encouraging Creativity and Talent Development
Through creative learning activities we help children discover their talents, improve concentration, and build problem-solving skills.
Loom Band Bracelet Making in Bukoto
In an exciting session children in Bukoto participated in a loom band bracelet-making activity where they learned how to follow instructions and create bracelets using elastic bands. The activity required patience, attention to detail, and the ability to follow multiple steps carefully. It was amazing witnessing the children focus so keenly on their bracelets and celebrate with joy once everything fit into place.
By the end of the session, many children successfully created their own bracelets, demonstrating creativity, discipline, and persistence. Most importantly, they got to take home a beautifully handmade bracelet and show off to their fellow friends with it.
Paper Craft Activities in Mulago
In Mulago, children learned how to make paper table lanterns using paper, glue, staplers, cutters, and pencils. The exercise encouraged imagination and artistic expression while helping children develop practical skills.
The children enthusiastically participated in the activity, showcasing different creative designs and approaches. Kakooza, who was part of the under five group found so much difficulty in the project. Whenever he would pick up the lantern, it would fall apart because the glue had’nt dried yet. Each time he would bust out in tears because nothing seemed to work. After a few more attempts to be patient, his lantern could finally be held. A success for Kakooza.
Such art-based activities provide children with opportunities to express themselves, solve problems creatively, and identify hidden talents that can be nurtured over time. However, the sessions also highlighted the need for additional learning materials such as scissors, rulers, cutters, and colored paper to make future activities more engaging and inclusive for all participating children.
Promoting Teamwork Through Play
Recognizing the importance of play in child development, the outreach sessions also included games such as rope skipping and bowling.
While many girls preferred rope skipping, boys and younger children particularly enjoyed bowling activities. These games helped promote teamwork, social interaction, solidarity, and friendship among children in the community.
Play activities also created safe spaces where children could experience joy, relaxation, and positive social engagement despite the hardships they face daily.
The Need for Continued Community Support
The outreach activities in Bukoto and Mulago revealed several ongoing challenges affecting children in informal settlements. Frequent minor injuries during play highlighted the importance of having accessible first aid kits during community activities. Additionally, the rise in bacterial infections among children emphasized the urgent need for continued hygiene and sanitation awareness within households and women’s groups.
Despite these challenges, the resilience and enthusiasm demonstrated by the children and their families continue to inspire the work of Joy for Children Uganda.
Through home visits, educational sessions, creative activities, psychosocial support, and emergency assistance, the organization remains committed to protecting children’s wellbeing and creating safer, healthier, and more hopeful communities for vulnerable families across Kampala.
