When civil war broke out in Juba in July 2016 spread to Yei. The situation was unpredictable as to what would happen next. Insecurity was rampant, reports of gender based violence, recruitment of boys by armed factions were widely covered in the news. The economy was down and girls were being given for marriage in return for bride prices so that families could survive. This raised fresh concerns about safety, education and future of the former street girls at CCC in Juba who were rescued in 2007. It was happening all over again. These girls had made so such stride towards a brighter future through education; and it was their only hope for the future, now not taken for granted. Cathy did not want any set backs. Another concern was the life of children who needed continued specialized medical care was at stake. Schools ware disrupted, health services unreliable. Although these children were reaching the normal (18 years) age of reintegration back into community, these former street children had no community to go back to. By the end of 10 years of care, more than 50% of the cohort of girls from the streets of Juba, from Konyokonyo market and the Juba cemetery, one or both of their parents had died. Most do not have any family and would land in the hands of abusers often also subjected to domestic violence.
In 2017 Cathy relocated from Juba to Kampala with a former staff Yunia Muhenge to established a program in Uganda that would support these South Sudanese vulnerable girls so that they can continue with secondary education in boarding schools having a place to stay during schools’ holidays where they revise their books, access to life saving medical services stay safe and prepare for school the next term.
Alongside with education, children at CCC in Uganda are supported to become pass exams, learn a vocational skill and become independent. We ensure that the older girls who have younger siblings are not separated. We therefore support the young siblings to attend school in boarding as well. Through our devoted friends and supporters we enabled 4 children to access life changing plastic surgery and medical care. , engaging youth and women’s groups in awareness-raising activities with regard to gender-based violence and child protection concerns.
In Uganda we are part of a consortium of civil society where we participate in raising awareness on protection and education of children with emphasis on girls, women and refugees. We lobby and raise awareness on corpral punishment. We also provide vocational training skills
CCC in Uganda is inspired by Christian compassion to take care of the needs of the most vulnerable children, youth and women in society, as in (Matthew 25:35-45) by commitment to community participation and development, and by passion to advocate for the rights of vulnerable children and youth, through partnerships.
In 2017 Cathy relocated from Juba to Kampala with a former staff Yunia Muhenge to established a program in Uganda that would support these South Sudanese vulnerable girls so that they can continue with secondary education in boarding schools having a place to stay during schools’ holidays where they revise their books, access to life saving medical services stay safe and prepare for school the next term.
Alongside with education, children at CCC in Uganda are supported to become pass exams, learn a vocational skill and become independent. We ensure that the older girls who have younger siblings are not separated. We therefore support the young siblings to attend school in boarding as well. Through our devoted friends and supporters we enabled 4 children to access life changing plastic surgery and medical care. , engaging youth and women’s groups in awareness-raising activities with regard to gender-based violence and child protection concerns.
In Uganda we are part of a consortium of civil society where we participate in raising awareness on protection and education of children with emphasis on girls, women and refugees. We lobby and raise awareness on corpral punishment. We also provide vocational training skills
CCC in Uganda is inspired by Christian compassion to take care of the needs of the most vulnerable children, youth and women in society, as in (Matthew 25:35-45) by commitment to community participation and development, and by passion to advocate for the rights of vulnerable children and youth, through partnerships.
Our Activities
Since 2016 the number of children we support to go to boarding schools in Uganda has reached 50. We support them with residential care during school holidays: a safe place to play, sleep, eat and learn. Iris Ministries, a partner organisation in Luwero has cared for a number CCC Children since the conflicts broke out in 2013 and 2016. We endeavour to keep children who have relatives, in touch with them when it is in the best interest of the child. We provide these children with scholastic, hygiene and sanitary, and other material to enable them to stay in boarding schools; enjoy extracurricular and recreational activities, as well as health, spiritual and psychosocial care. Mid December 2019, with heavy hearts we said farewell to two voluntter families Abrie and Aletta Wessels, and Nicholus and Verity Ramsden volunteered since 2018 to visit children during school visitation days at school, supported homework and revision of school work, and coaching them in their weak subjects, Supervised handcrafts making, sports and singing. We are looking for more people who can fill those gaps. Since 2017 we have had several volunteers from Holland and UK who came to support the children with, physical activities, sports, arts and crafts, house maintenance, much more; 3 pairs of young ladies 16-20years visited max for 2-5weeks who painted the rooms, organised the house and visited the children in schools. We, and the children are extremely grateful. Annually the children organise themselves to sing carols at home during Christmas. Some of the children participate in singing and sports at school and often perform at national events in their schools. Our friends have donated guitars and the children enjoy making music with them. We are hoping to receive Laura, hopefully and 4 other secondary school students from Gouda to visit summer 2020.
