By Joseph Mary Buwule
LUWERO: A women’s organisation, Women of Valour, has extended support to vulnerable children living with disabilities at St. Lillian Home of Vulnerable Children in Ndeba Village, Kalagala Sub-County, Luwero District, calling for greater intervention from government and well-wishers to improve the welfare of children under the care of the facility.
The organisation visited the home and donated food and other basic necessities to the children, providing temporary relief to the caregivers who face growing challenges in meeting the daily needs of the children.
St. Lillian Home of Vulnerable Children is managed by Catholic nuns from the Bwanda Banathereza Sisters, who have dedicated their lives to caring for children who have been abandoned, neglected or are otherwise unable to receive adequate care from their families.
The home provides shelter and basic support to children living with disabilities and other vulnerable children who require special attention and protection.
However, caregivers say the number of children needing assistance continues to grow, putting pressure on the limited resources available to the home.
CHILDREN IN NEED OF SUPPORT
Rev. Sr. Immaculate Ruth Amoi, who is in charge of the home, says some of the children under their care have endured difficult circumstances from the time they were born.
According to Sister Amoi, some children living with disabilities are abandoned by their parents shortly after birth, while others are reportedly left at people’s gates or found without proper care and protection.
Some children are also brought to the home through the intervention of police and other authorities after being found in vulnerable situations.
The caregivers say taking responsibility for such children requires significant resources because, in addition to food and accommodation, many require medical attention, specialised care, clothing, education and other forms of support.
SOT: REV. SR. IMMACULATE RUTH AMOI – IN-CHARGE, ST. LILLIAN HOME
Sister Amoi says the increasing number of vulnerable children has created a growing demand for food, clothing, medical care, education and other basic necessities.
She says the home is doing its best to provide a safe and caring environment, but the needs of the children are greater than the resources currently available.
WOMEN OF VALOUR INTERVENTION
It is against this background that Women of Valour, a women’s organisation, stepped in to support the children.
The organisation donated food and other essential items to the home, which the caregivers say will help ease some of the immediate challenges facing the facility.
Charity Phiona, Founder of Women of Valour, says the organisation chose to support the home after recognising the difficult circumstances faced by vulnerable children, particularly those living with disabilities.
She says the intervention is intended to provide immediate assistance while also drawing attention to the wider needs of vulnerable children across the country.
The organisation says caring for children with disabilities should not be left solely to religious institutions and individual caregivers, but should involve government, civil society organisations, private companies and members of the community.
CALL FOR GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
The caregivers are now appealing for stronger intervention from the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development and other relevant government agencies to support initiatives providing care and protection to vulnerable children.
They say government assistance would enable the home to improve the children’s living conditions and strengthen its capacity to provide essential services.
The support is also expected to help the facility meet the growing demand for medical care, education, nutrition, clothing and other necessities.
SOT: REV. SR. IMMACULATE RUTH AMOI
The caregivers further appeal to district authorities, development partners, non-governmental organisations and other institutions working with children to consider supporting homes caring for vulnerable children.
They say sustained assistance is needed rather than occasional donations because the needs of the children are continuous.
WOMEN OF VALOUR APPEAL
Anna Bwize, President of Women of Valour, says the organisation’s intervention forms part of its commitment to supporting vulnerable communities, particularly women and children facing difficult circumstances.
She says Women of Valour is also encouraging other organisations, companies, individuals and well-wishers to join efforts aimed at improving the welfare of children living with disabilities.
SOT: ANNA BWIZE – PRESIDENT, WOMEN OF VALOUR
Bwize says supporting vulnerable children requires collective responsibility, noting that every child deserves access to basic necessities, protection, education and healthcare regardless of their circumstances.
A CALL FOR COLLECTIVE ACTION
For the children at St. Lillian Home, the support from Women of Valour has provided much-needed relief, but caregivers say more assistance is required to address their long-term needs.
The situation at the home highlights the challenges faced by institutions that care for children who have been abandoned or are living with disabilities.
As the number of vulnerable children continues to place pressure on available resources, caregivers are calling for a stronger partnership between government, religious institutions, civil society organisations, the private sector and communities.
Their appeal is clear: more support is needed to ensure that vulnerable children, especially those living with disabilities, have access to adequate food, healthcare, education, protection and a dignified life.