Joweria, a resident of Kyebando in Kampala, has devoted her life to caring for abandoned children. Having looked after more than 10 over the years, she now faces the emotional and financial challenges of caring for one child who is severely ill and fully dependent on her.
As the number of children abandoned by their parents continues to rise across Uganda, one woman has dedicated her life to giving them love and care until their families are traced and they are reunited.
Joweria, a resident of Kyebando in Kampala, has cared for more than 10 abandoned children over the years.
While most of these children were eventually taken back by their parents, she remains with one child, Innocent Kwagala, who is now bedridden due to severe health complications.
She says her own difficult childhood, growing up without a mother, inspired her to help vulnerable children so they can experience the love and security that most children receive from their families.
The first children she cared for belonged to a woman in the area who reportedly suffered from mental illness and would abandon or even harm her newborns.
Joweria stepped in, offering a safe home for the children, and this journey eventually saw her caring for more than 10 children over the years.
Her dedication caught the attention of child care organizations, which trained her on how to properly care for abandoned children within the legal framework.
After gaining these skills, she took in more children, including Innocent Kwagala, who was only two months old at the time. Unbeknownst to her, Innocent had severe brain complications that would later leave him fully dependent on her care.
Caring for Innocent has been a daily challenge. The child feeds through a tube, cannot walk or talk, and requires frequent hospital visits due to his fragile health. Despite this, Joweria says she will never abandon him and will continue caring for him until his biological parents are found.
She acknowledges that caring for abandoned children comes with public criticism, financial strain, and emotional stress, but she finds joy when children she once cared for return as adults to thank her.
She admits it is emotionally difficult when children are reclaimed by their parents, yet she takes comfort knowing they are back in their rightful homes.
Ruth Naigaga of Child I Foundation, the organization that entrusted Joweria with Innocent, confirms that Joweria reached out regarding the child’s worsening condition.
The organization has since linked her to specialized medical professionals to ensure Innocent receives proper treatment.
Naigaga explains that the organization works closely with the government to ensure every child grows up in a family setting, and they thoroughly assess and monitor homes where abandoned children are placed, including Joweria’s home before she was given custody of Innocent.
Experts note that children raised in institutional care often do not develop as well as those in family environments, largely due to limited personal attention when caregivers look after many children at once.
Despite these challenges, Joweria remains resolute. She says she will never give up on Innocent, just as she has never given up on the many children she has cared for before.
