The safe house
Unfortunately we found out that recently the police rounded up 
and imprisoned 300 children living on the streets of Kampala. 150 of these children formed part of Raising Up Hope for Uganda’s (RUHU) outreach project and we knew many personally.
The authorities claim the round up was done to help the children return to their families. However, the effects of detaining children indefinitely in holding centres across the country are disastrous. In addition to ruining the future of 
those that were taken criminalising these children also hurt those that are still on the streets by driving 
them further underground. This makes it so much harder to help and care for them.
Kajsa and K who are 2 previous volunteers from 2010 have very 
generously decided to help Patrick and RUHU by funding the first 12 months rent of a safe house for 70-100 children. The main priority at this stage is to create a safe environment where the children feel safe 
and are shielded from the daily beatings and harassment of 
the police so they are able to fully participate in RUHU’S outreach and rehabilitation projects
After three attempts the safe house was finally secured on 5th July. The building has an office, a living room, two bedrooms (one for the boys and one for the girls to ensure privacy and safety), a toilet and even a 
shower.
As soon as the deposit was down some of the boys moved in, cared for by the older boys and Patrick. It was a joy visiting the safe house and witnessing the boys cooking, cleaning and helping each other. Today the house is home to 30 children and the number is still growing.
Nonetheless, many hurdles remain as the running of the house, the provision of food, first aid resources and educational material requires consistent funding. We cannot wait to see the house painted by the Yebo volunteers and hopefully a wall fitted to allow the girls to join as well.
Yebo hopes to continue to support and fund this project in the future and to work closely with RUHU to support these children with the work that we do.
By Roger Mallins, July 23, 2011 @ 9:14 am
This is a difficult subject to comment on,safe to say that what you are all doing may change the mind of those in “authority” by gentle pursuation.Well done all.