Brenda was just 6 years old when her father died leaving her all alone with her brother and sister in their small rural shack. They tried to look for food but life was very difficult and they decided to separate. Brenda ended up on the streets of Uganda's capital, Kampala, sleeping in shop verandahs at night and surviving by eating sugar cane. She was exploited as a child labourer, cleaning floors and washing clothes in exchange for a mat on the floor and the occasional meal. Luckily, Brenda was identified by the Bambejja project and thanks to HOPEHIV funding, was able to join their child support program which rehabilitated her into a safe home as well as entering her onto their 3-year catch up school program. She's getting nutritional food and regular medical check ups. Her dream is to be a nurse one day.
The Bambejja project was set up by Ceri Duncan, a UK volunteer, in 2002 to help girls in the Kampala slums and streets and offer them a future. "Bambejja means Princess and we wanted to show these girls just how special they are" said the 35 year old founder. In partnership with HOPEHIV, the program offers daily child support and education to over 100 destitute girls, family support to 100 guardians and resettlement where needed as well as a one-year skills training project for young women in cookery, finances, computing, tailoring, hairdressing, AIDS awareness and parenting. It is a centre of excellence that is increasingly equipping local churches to understand girls needs and provide appropriate services. It is now managed by local staff and overseen by Oasis Trust.
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HOPEHIV want to contineu to support the work of the Bambejja project. But we need your help. Just £150 over a year will put a girl through the child supprot andd educational program. DONATE NOW.