Peter Ibulo with his goats and the cow he bought, as a result of his grant from LWF. Photo:
Asubu David.
Peter Ibulo is a middle aged man, living in Katakwi district, eastern Uganda with his wife and six children. In 2003, whilst still living in an Internally Displaced Persons
(IDP) camp, Peter’s son one day brought 13 year old Joseph Choda back to the home.
“Joseph’s parents had both died and he had no
homeâ€, says Peter. “I had no option but to make him part of my family, and so I was blessed with another son.†When the family could finally leave
the camp and return to their home, Peter wanted to send Joseph to secondary school, but he just could not find the funds to pay for school fees and uniform.
“But then my prayers were
answeredâ€, says Peter, “One day Joseph came home and told me I was being called to the sub county head quarters. I was told Joseph had been identified to participate
in Lutheran World Federation’s orphans’ project.†School grant feeds the familyThanks to funding from DCA Joseph
is now happily studying at boarding school in Soroti town and doing well. Joseph’s guardians are receiving support too; “We received two goats, cassava cuttings,
sorghum, and groundnuts. I harvested the cassava and it is only thanks to the cassava that we sustaining ourselves. It’s been a terrible period of famine. Many neighbouring families
cannot afford food, but thanks to the project me and my family can have two meals per dayâ€, says Peter gratefully. “Our goats multiplied, and I was able to sell four
goats in exchange for a cow. This has given me pride in my villageâ€.
“Hygiene and sanitation is now a major priority for my household. We guardians attend meetings
at sub county headquarters that have taught us guardians how to keep the house clean. Now I have confidence when visitors comeâ€, says Peter proudly. He continues,
“When Joseph comes home for holidays, he teaches my other children. It makes me so happy to come home and find them studying together, sharing stories and discussing issues. I want to
thank the project so much for this.â€
By Asubu David,Lutheran World Federation, Katakwi Orphans Project, Uganda
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
A woman carries a suitcase after being displaced by the rising water level of the river Yamuna after heavy rain in New Delhi September 13, 2009. Ceaseless rain and the release ...
