My friends at Home of Hope

Some of the children I visit, 

their disabilities, 

their sad stories about their old lives, 

and how they are different now that they have therapy and good care...

Click here for Edith's story (lady who started and runs Home of Hope)

Click here to see post about how we can help these kids

Waswa (big)

Wasswa

Wasswa is nearly 8 years old. He suffers from Hydrocephalus (excess fluid and pressure in brain enlarges head). He cannot use the bottom half of his body but luckily he is mentally OK. His father died when Wasswa was 1 week old, and he was left with his mother who was very sick due to HIV. He was left in the house alone and occasionally fed by passers by. He was eventually taken by the probation officer to Home of Hope. He is a very cheeky and extremely funny boy (you may have seen his videos already). He loves to rap and always says "excuse me" in any situation. Waswa was one of the first children I got to know well as I took him on a very long walk (not realising how far we'd gone) in my second week in Uganda. I love how clever he is and his ability to speak some English with me! Hopefully we will be able to raise enough for him to go to school so he doesn't have to sit at the home all day every day!

Junior

Junior

Junior also suffers from Hydrocephalus. He is only 4. His father was in a motorbike accident and his mother could not cope with looking after both. He is very happy all the time, laughing and smiling. I just want to constantly pick him up and cuddle him!

Little Peter

"Little Peter"

Peter is 5 and suffers from cerebral palsy. He was taken to Home of Hope because his Grandmother could no longer look after him well. He couldn't walk, stand or crawl when he arrived, but thanks to the therapy Home of Hope give him, he now runs around the home, and follows me everywhere, always wanting a cuddle. He looks up at me with the cutest smile and big eyes and I can't say no! Watching him dancing (see videos) always amazes me as he is actually paralysed on one side of his body. He is an incredible little boy!

Big Peter

"Big Peter"

Peter is 7 and also suffers from cerebral palsy. He was found picking rubbish outside a building and was brought to Home of Hope. His condition means his muscles and movement are very strained but he can crawl and also do thumbs up when I ask!

Hausi

Hausi (House)

Hausi is 11 and also has Hydrocephalus. He also can't move his bottom half and sits on the floor with his friends or in a wheelchair. He is, like Wasswa, very clever and hopefully we can raise the funds for him to also go to school!

Geoffrey

Geoffrey

Geoffrey is 14 and extremely energetic! His mother left after having two children with disabilities and his father became an alcoholic. Geoffrey became very malnourished but since moving to Home of Hope is on a nutrition and therapy program and has put on some weight. He cannot speak but loves to cuddle people (or drag them around the home showing them all his friends). He can be difficult sometimes, but he just needs some love and attention.

Pushing Rashida home from school

Rashida

Rashida has sickle cell anaemia and her legs are currently very fragile and weak and cant support her. However she is a very happy and bright little girl. She is sponsored to go to school (in her wheelchair) and is doing really well! The photo shows me pushing her home from school one day :)

Maureen

Maureen

Maureen is 14 and suffers from cerebral palsy. However she is becoming very able, and is attending school. She is learning to talk and although her speech isn't as clear as most of us, it is still understandable. She amazes me - she is pushed home in her wheelchair and then crawls on her knees with her feet facing inwards, climbs onto her bed, goes through all of her clothes, picks an outfit and dresses herself. Its incredible to watch from far away when she isn't aware you're there. She is at Home of Hope due to her parents dying and her grandmother being too old to care for her properly. She's so lovely and always smiling!

Tony

Tony

Tony is almost 7 and suffers from mild Hydrocephalus and a development delay. His mother died due to HIV and his grandmother then just locked him in the house. He was very week when he came to Home of Hope and couldn't even walk or feed himself. Thanks to therapy, he is now walking and running around! He is also getting better at speech and is attending school. He loved to be cuddled and dancing to music.

First time she's
smiled for me!!

Gloria

Gloria is 17 and suffers from cerebral palsy. She is not able to talk or walk but can feed herself and sit with minimum support now. It upsets me to see her always looking distressed or angry. She rarely smiles but after spending an hour one day sat outside with her, talking to her, she eventually gave a few smiles which was the best thing ever! I hope and pray that one day she will somehow be able to talk and communicate with the children and staff.

Waswa (small)

Waswa finally smiling!!

I have a big heart for Waswa. He is 2 and suffers from cerebral palsy. His muscles and limbs are constantly tense and he always appears to be straining and in pain. His eyes are always wide and his fists clenched. He also struggles with breathing a lot of the time. It breaks my heart to see him struggling to do the basic things we don't even think about and not be able to relax or be comfortable. I often hold him against my chest as this upright position seems to be somewhat comfortable for him. And I've finally worked out that if I lift him high in the air and grin at him he will actually smile! It is the best feeling in the world every time I do this with him.

Baby Joseph

Joseph

 Joseph is nearly 2 and suffers from cerebral palsy. He is very floppy and doesn't seem to be able to support his limbs or head. He is such a beautiful baby, yet he was left abandoned on the grass outside Home of Hope one day in February. I have no idea how someone could do that to their child. Edith had no choice but to take him in and he now has therapy and is looked after and fed well.