A few years ago Jacqee and her brother were collected off the street and dumped at “M”.  Their mother knew they might end up here so she made the long journey by foot to look for them.  Most likely she tracked them down because they earn her living, not because she loves them so terribly much.  Upon finding them, she elected only to take one child back to the streets with her.  She pointed to the son and off they went, walking back towards Kampala, leaving this poor girl to realize she’d been left for good.  Natalie saw it happen and said Jacqee wailed and sobbed for hours.  Jacqee is one  kid Natalie’s taken in and she takes special care to love on her every time she goes and she personally pays her school fees.  Jacqee was old enough to understand what had happened.

This is Peter. He is 11 years old. He was left there by his grandmother for not doing his chores… who knows where his parents are. He tried to hang himself during his first week if that is any indication to you his quality of life.

Peter is still not allowed a shirt because they fear he’ll run away.  Newcomers are forced to live on the compound without clothes so that they are less likely to escape.  It would be shameful to run through the villages naked and the locals are aware of a reward for returning naked kids to “M”.

A life on the streets is better than one in this dreadful place.