“I miss my mum and I hope I make her proud.” Jalira, age 7

HARDSHIPS IN RURAL UGANDA

On December 11, 2019, Hasifah a mother of 8 children died in a tragic mining accident in Uganda. She died with her 2 elder daughters and left behind 6 children.

Hasifah was an All Across Africa weaver in the Mukono region of Uganda. Basket business was slow so Hasifah and her two elder girls decided to go and work in a stone quarry to earn a living. On this fateful day, as they worked, due to heavy rains, the soil above the Quarry collapsed and buried them. By the time the rescue team reached them, Hasifah and her two girls had passed.

Hasifah was a single mother, whose main source of income was weaving. Her husband, Dungu Budala was an absentee Father who had left them and remarried.

The house where Hasifah and her children were staying was owned by her ex-husband, who wanted to sell the land after she passed. This was going to make the children not only orphaned, but homeless as well.

Image: Weaving group leader, Agnes, meets the children after their mother's death to identify the needs of the children going forward.

The death of Hasifah and the two eldest daughters had left her younger children with little hope for their future. They were not in school. They were being fed by well-wishers and that was not going to continue for long. All six children were staying in a single room, and the land on which that house was built was going to be sold off by their Father.

BUILDING A BRIGHTER FUTURE

Quickly after her passing, All Across Africa, a social basket business working in Uganda to create income for women and families, raised funds to help with a grant from a family foundation to purchase land and build a house for the children and a caretaker. The company then provided monthly funds to pay the caretaker, for medical fees, school fees, modest house furnishings and food for 3 meals a day for the past 3 years.

Image: the land and house that AAA was able to build for them with the raised proceeds. The land and house ownership is in the kids' names.

The retail climate is currently challenging and All Across Africa is looking for a way to help these bright young students continue their education and keep their safe living conditions. They are in need of direct supporters to help provide a sustainable future for these bright and hopeful children who have overcome so much and come so far.

All funds given will go directly to support the children with food, medical care, safe housing and will pay for their uniforms, shoes and school fees to keep them in school. The present need is $700/monthly, and we are looking to raise to support them for the next 12-24 months.

MEET THE KIDS

Meet JALIRA.

My name is Nalwadda Jalira. I am 14 years old. I am the third born among six children. I go to Naggalama junior school and I am in primary five. My favorite subject in school is Mathematics.

I love to play netball; I am part of my school netball team. I also love to cook and I am always helping out with the cooking at home. My favorite food to cook is rice and meat.

I want to become a doctor when I grow up. One time I was sick and I was taken to hospital, I was treated and I became well. I felt I wanted to be like the doctor by treating people.

Meet AYUB.

My name is Kimera Ayub. I am 15 years old. I am the second born among six children. I go to Naggalama Junior school and I am in primary five. My favorite subject in school is Mathematics.

I love to play football. I am part of my school football team where I play in position Number Two (Defender). I also love making new friends. I do some reading during my free time and my favorite book is “The Jungle Book”.

I had lost hope after our mother passed on since she was solely taking care of us, my hope has been restored.

I want to become a primary teacher when I grow up. When am in school I love how teachers treat young children. I also love being around and playing with children.

Meet KARIMU.

My name is Ntale Karimu. I am 5 years old. I am the last born among six children. I go to Naggalama School and I am in Kindergarten. I come from Uganda.

Reading and drawing are my best. I love playing games like Temple Run.

When I grow up, I want to be a driver because I love cars.

Meet FAROUQ.

My name is Muvumba Farouq. I am 8 years old. I am the fifth born among six children. I study at Naggalama Junior school in Primary one. I am happy to live with my siblings.

My favorite subject in school is Science. I love playing hide and seek with my siblings and friends. I also love watching cartoons. My favorite cartoons are Dragon Ballz, Henry Danger and Turtle Ninjas.

I want to be a Nurse and treat people.

Meet FAHIM.

My name is Ngabo Fahim. I am 10 years old. I am the fourth born among six children. I study from Naggalama Junior school in Primary two.

My favorite subject in school is English. I love playing football with my siblings and friends. I also love playing with my toys.

I want to be a Pilot when I grow up because I want to fly and be in the sky.