Orphans Camp

This is an annual event organized by Upendo and affiliate projects of Kirongo and Imani for the orphans supported by Amani UK, to enable the organization to evaluate the education and social progress among the orphans and to be able to identify their needs and help set priorities that can help them.

The 2018 Orphans camp was held on 12th April at the Upendo offices. Over 30 orphans and vulnerable children who are supported came together to feedback their progress at school and their homes. It was an opportunity to meet with the custodians and to share their experiences with their peers. The custodians facilitated the orphans through a process of identifying viable income generating activities, making Healthy Choices for a better future among other items. The event was punctuated with spiritual nourishment from the custodians and refreshments.  It was a day to share, discuss reports and other educational needs and for the custodians to guide and counsel the children through their difficulties. The children were put into discussion groups and as individuals were asked to draw their vision maps. It emerged that the students had different career visions which the custodians had to discuss with them to guide them into making right choices depending on their subject combinations and strengths.

The turnout for the camp this year was excellent despite the heavy rains in the morning. The children braved the poor weather to attend this important occasion. It was such an enjoyable moment for the children to be able to meet their colleagues and to share their life experiences as orphans and vulnerable groups. This was an eye opener to all the orphans and as they made plenary presentations of what they discussed, they realized that they were not the only ones affected by their situation but it is a far reaching effect that by coming together would help them better understand ways to overcome some of their difficult circumstances and moments.

I wish to thank the Amani UK sponsors and all the well-wishers who give support to these children to transform their lives and to make them feel they are cared for and are productive members of society, as are their peers in well-to-do families. Thanks a lot for the life changing effort and the amazing support that you continue to give these vulnerable children.

Leonard Odongo – Program Manager