Maryhill Primary School

9 children attend Mary Hill Primary School: Latifu, nursery class; Penina, p3; Brendah, and Derrick, p4; Daniel, p5; Brendah, Matovu and Sarah, p7. 7 of the 9 children are boarding at the school. The school’s Head Master is especially good and takes special care of the 2 children who are HIV positive.

Julious

Julious, now aged 9, was the first child sponsored in 2004. In 2005, the first time Julius was at Lynn’s house, he turned on every faucet and looked underneath for where the water was going. He turned on every light switch, and opened every cabinet; he does not have electricity or plumbing. Every time he comes now he goes straight to the sink to wash his hands; he just loves the running water.

A note from Julious Jjajja (Grandmother) 2005
Dictated to Kalule Charles

I got married in 1950 Feb. at the age of 16yrs to a husband with three wives. I gave birth to 12 children and now many have died and my husband also died. Am now 71 years old. I have lost most of my children due to AIDS and they have left me a number of orphans. One of them named Julius 6yrs, both parents died of HIV AIDS, but thanks to Connect Africa he can now go to school, they pay his school tuition and some school and home supplies.

Two of my daughters and a son died of AIDS and they also left me with five children to look after. The other three of my children died of malaria and other sicknesses.

I thank Connect Africa for everything, the help, the love they have shown my grand children and me. I want to tell all her friends that I love them so much. I’m a farmer and I grow some food to feed these children and try to sell sugar cane to buy some home supply, thanks to the organization I do not know how I would have educated these children.

I thank them for the offer and sad that I cannot do any business, I cannot manage a business now, I can’t manage that much I know and the bad thing my grand children are still young to help.

Bety with Debroah

Amiti Bety is a 14-year-old girl who till 2009 had not been to school for over 4 years. Upon meeting her where she was working as a house girl Connect Africa chose to do whatever was possible to get her back into school. During school holiday’s she resides with Deborah, a friend of Charles, where she can continue to stay focused on schoolwork. (read more Village News April 2009)

Pennia, Daniel and Siblings with their Grandmother

Pennia and Daniel are siblings. Both parents died within a few months of each other in 2007. The jajja now cares for 8 grandchildren in the tiny house you see in the background. Pennia is HIV positive. Daniel is negative although falls sick very often. In addition to funding their education we are helping with transportation to the hospital where Pennia is receiving antiretroviral drugs. Due to Pennia and Daniel's illness and the recent death of their parents we are also providing food and juice for the children.

Pennia and Daniel are sitting to the right of their grandmother