Destined Children

JENGA works to drastically improve the quality of life of the children and youth living on the streets of Mbale. Twice a week, children’s workers and volunteers meet with these desperate young people to build relationships and to provide both emotional and practical encouragement.

Children forced to live on the street lead incredibly difficult lives, often relying on food found in rubbish bins to feed themselves and younger siblings. Maintaining regular school attendance is almost impossible, and a reliance on drugs and alcohol is common as one of the few accessible means of coping. Through playing football and other various games, meeting with the children to pray, sing, and learn bible stories, JENGA helps to cultivate a safe environment for the children to escape the stressors of the street. JENGA is also involved with helping to resettle older street children with their families and to provide materials and funds needed to keep as many children as possible in school.

I am the second child from a single parent family. As we were really struggling financially, I moved out to the streets in the hope that I would be able to find food and shelter. I had to leave secondary school after the second year because there was no way that my family could afford the fees. I was staying in a local garage and an organisation who works with street children met me there. In return for helping with cleaning at the organisation and teaching some of the younger children, I was given lunch and breakfast. This is where I met the JENGA team who partnered with them. We used to have lunch time prayers where we learnt more about God.

The JENGA team ran some of the lunch time sessions and they also connected me to a sponsor. I was able to rejoin secondary school in one of the best schools in Mbale. JENGA covered all of the fees, accommodation, medication, uniform and school lunches. My siblings also benefitted and were able to join the sponsorship programme. Our family was also supported. My mum’s house was reconstructed, we were given food parcels, my mother’s medication and medical bills were paid, and clothing and security were also covered. My younger brother is currently studying clinical medicine thanks to JENGA sponsorship. 

“Through JENGA, our family has been redeemed from illiteracy and ignorance. On behalf of my family I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to JENGA for the sacrifice, love and support given to us.”