Majority of the homeless children in Uganda join the street between 5 and 10 years, according to a report by ANPPCAN Uganda in 2015.
As the number continues to escalate over the years, controversy still looms that the government is doing less to address this situation, predicted to soon become a national problem.
The large numbers of these children has been attributed to several factors that include loss of parents due to disease, disabled parents, poverty, abuse, shame, stepmothers, neglect, divorce and war.
Through an NGO she founded with her husband William Nkemba, Rita Nkemba was inspired by God 20 years ago to rescue, rehabilitate, resettle and get Uganda’s street children back into school or introduce them to appropriate income generating skills.
In order to help both “resident” (without homes) and “recurrent” (with a partial family life) street children, the organization plans their outreach in a way that is unique to each child’s story and background, seeking to understand their needs and offering them relevant services and guidance.
Her generosity and selflessness towards over 1500 Children rescued from the streets attracted National station NTV to broadcast her story this week as Uganda readies for International women’s day on Wednesday, March 8.
“When God called me to start working with Children living on the streets, I did not know what that looked like. And so it was fresh raw ground.” She told the station, revealing that she started doing this charity work without a penny.
Today, the organisation has grown and stretched out, with additional support coming in from a number of Volunteer/Samaritan groups and organisations.
As deliberate and comprehensive as the rehabilitation process is, Dwelling Places recognizes that children should not be institutionalized, and instead belong in a family setting.
In an effort to find homes for their rescued children, Dwelling Places has developed an incredibly thorough process for identifying families, and determining whether or not reconciliation is appropriate.
Often with the assistance of government records, but sometimes following leads as small as the local language or dance that children are familiar with, Dwelling Places’ social workers attempt to trace each individual child back to the where they belong.
Her work strengthened grounds when Bill Clinton visited Uganda in 1997.
It is during the preparations for this visit that all children on Kampala streets and its suburbs were arrested. One of the people that led the movement opened her eyes on how she could step in and help the children.
“There are times when I have wanted to give up. The environment sometimes presses you in.” Nkemba said, adding that her husband and church have been very supportive of the initiative.
“Until every child has a chest to rest his head and a place to call home, this organisation will remain.” Nkemba said.
male@ugchristiannews.com
