The young girl who inspired our foster care program, and her siblings in 2016 (identity protected)

Two years ago, a courageous young girl was referred to our office by a partner organization. She was living in a family with violence, substance abuse and neglect. She told us what was happening at home, in hopes that we could help her, and her young brothers and sisters.

Our social work team contacted the police, and together, investigated the case.

The abuse the children suffered was shocking.

As a result of that investigation, two family members were charged, and imprisoned.

Prior to our investigation, the community had taken action to protect the children. They began removing them one-by-one and placing them in orphanages.

We knew we had to do better.

With no parents or extended family to safely care for them, we asked the community for help.

The community responded, and today, the children are growing up with foster families. They are now like any other child in the community. They go to school, have siblings and friends, and have the security and love of family.

Today, we are leading the first foster care program in Central-West Uganda. We have trained our social workers in foster care, and recruited five foster families.

The foster families we work with volunteer their time to care for children in their own homes. They provide short-term care for children in emergencies, and long-term care for children who cannot safely stay with their parents or extended family, or whose families are missing.

Foster families give children day-to-day care, and the love and security of family. We support our foster families with basic necessities, medical care and school fees for the children, and the long-term support of a social worker.

Thanks to the courage of one young girl, we are now supporting nine children in long-term foster care.

Our Partners: CALM Africa and SFAC trained our social work team in Foster Care.