SavedOnStreet´s work is focusing on different topics. We work with street-children and children who are in danger of living on the streets. Below, we would like to share our current projects with you.
Our vision is to create a global cummunity where children, especially the most vulnerable have to opportunity to reach their full potential and have equal opportunities.
Samuel Sekitto
Our Work with Street-Children
We are working with street-children, that reside in Kampala or Luwero. Many of them live in the center of Kampala, close to one of the biggest slums. The reasons that children live on the street vary. One reason is the escape of domestic violence. Another reason is a lack of financial support of the family and/or the death of family members. As a result, children work part-time on the streets. There they are trying to find money to support their families and supply their basic needs. Third, other children decide or are forced to live on the streets permanently. Consequently, they have daily struggles such as finding a place to sleep, getting food, and basic hygiene. Needless to say, living on the street increases these children’s chance of being exposed to violence, police repression and drugs.
Lots of children have difficulties going back to their families and school. Therefore, Saved on Street wants to support the children through giving them opportunities to earn money by working on handcrafts. For this program, we have been working with another member of SOS, who is offering the kids his materials and showing them how to create crafts. Then, the art is sold on the streets and by our members in different countries.
Check out our kids’ crafts on Instagram!
The handcrafts that the children learned are mostly wooden sculptures, which we are able to sell through our german members on Germany’s craft-markets. This entrepreneurial opportunity serves as a healthier substitute for our kids as opposed to drugs. In addition, selling these items enables us to provide the kids with food, clothes, washing facilities, and medical support. It is important for us to focus on the well-being and support of our street-kids, so that they are motivated and empowered to change their poor circumstances.
SavedOnStreet also supports them with workshops for hygiene and other daily life necessities. For example, we have open discussions about the negative affects of drugs.
The Center
Saved on Street is building two houses in Luwero for street-children and the kids in the community. These houses will provide the kids with different things. For example, the street-children will be able to seek refuge and rehabilitation services. It is important for them to not have access to drugs and other negative influences that endangers their life. Likewise, they will receive life skills training that will enable them to be self-sufficient upon their return home.
Our street-children will have the opportunity to rejoin society. Our hope is that their vocational training and education will create many job opportunities for them. We want to try to cover as many different areas as possible so that the children can do what they want to do. Moreover, our social workers and volunteers will cater to the children’s physical and emotional well-being.
In addition to the street-children, the children from the village are welcome at the house. We want it to be an open center for all children who want to learn more and need support in other areas aside from academics. We want to give the children opportunities to eat, drink, express their creativity, and play. Furthermore, we have turned the surrounding land into a community garden. As soon as the house is finished, we hope that we can hire people to work with the children.
The Scholarship Program
Many of the children in Luwero come from a poor families. Therefore, it is difficult for their parents to support their academic career. We believe that education is the key for a change in Uganda and society. With that being said, it is essential that we focus on improving their education so that they can escape this cycle of poverty. We have formed partnerships with the schools in Luwero such as: Lukomera Primary School, Hammitage Secondary School, Kaylugondo C/U Primary School, Zakayo Musisi Memorial Primary School, and Navule Secondary School. Currently, we are sponsoring 30 children by covering their school fees, uniforms and other necessities. We hold our children accountable by frequently communicating with their teachers and headmasters about their academic performance. We also build a rapport with their families to create trust and ensure that their live in a safe environment. Needless to say, their socioemotional health is as equally as important as their academics.
SAVED ON STREET 