Visiting with Maddie and her family in 2016.
When I first volunteered in 2009, there were two little girls in the orphanage. They were about five or six years of age, and best friends, always sitting and playing together.
The orphanage was a bad place. There was no clean water, no regular meals and little care or supervision. The neglect was evident. They girls were malnourished, and often sick. When they played, they would often shout insults and hit each other, imitating the orphanage housemother and volunteer teacher.
When I left the orphanage, I hoped that at least those two girls would make it home to their families.
A year and half later, the girls were gone.
I visited with one of the girl’s mothers two years ago. Her story is so similar to many of the families we work with, that I wanted to share it.
Mama Maddie gave birth to her daughter when she was a secondary school student. When Maddie was born, she soon dropped out of school, and began work as a maid for a family; cooking, cleaning and providing childcare around the clock.
Many vulnerable young girls are exploited this way in Uganda, working 24/7 as domestic servants for room and board and $20 a month.
She was not allowed to keep her daughter with her, and so she placed her in an orphanage.
She was determined, however, that she would save what she needed to bring her daughter home.
Mama Maddie would visit the orphanage when she could. Every time she visited her daughter would be worse off: unbathed, sick and malnourished. It was heartbreaking to visit.
Three years later, she had the money to bring her home. She went to the orphanage, picked up her daughter, and told the Director she was taking her home for a visit. She never went back.
With her savings, she joined a microfinance group. She saved enough to rent a small grocery shop with a room in the back. From the shop she could support her daughter with the basics, and send her to school.
The transition wasn’t easy.
Maddie would eat from the garbage, steal and lie. All things she learned to survive at the orphanage.
With time, patience and her mother’s love, Maddie flourished. She is still unable to talk about life at the orphanage, but when asked about her mother she will tell you just how much she loves her.
Mama Maddie, Maddie and her little sister Jojo live together in the same shop that her mother started to bring her home. Maddie goes to primary school where she is doing well. She loves to play with her little sister. We regularly check in with the family, and all are doing well.
Post by: Jennifer Martin, Executive Director, Home Free
Note: We respect the privacy of the children and families we work with. Names may be changed, and photos may conceal identity to protect a child's information.