Home for the Holidays – Children of Uganda Reunites a Family After 8 Years

Loud and joyful cries were heard from the compound the moment Children of Uganda’s vehicle embarked upon the homestead’s dirt road.  Incredibly, after 8 years apart, Jesca’s family recognized her before the car even came to a stop!

No matter how much love ties a family together, those with an unstable or crumbling economic foundation are often forced to break apart.  And, at 3 years-old, Jesca was separated from her family for this very reason.  Back then, she was living in absolute poverty with her grandmother who was elderly and unable to work.  They were surviving on donated food from well-wishers.

It seemed all hope was lost until a nun named Sister Catherine stepped in.  She offered to take Jesca away from her home in Masindi, Western Uganda to go live at St. Elizabeth’s Girls Home in the capital city of Kampala – 155 miles and 5 hours away.  The child was promised a fully funded education, daily meals and boarding.  With a heavy heart, her grandmother agreed – not knowing it would be nearly a decade until they’d meet again.

Jesca ended up in Children of Uganda’s care 2 years later after the orphanage was forced to close and over 50 girls were left stranded.  Sister Catherine connected us to a woman (no relation) who was willing to house Jesca during the holidays and provide her requirements.  However, over the years, problems arose with her guardian.  She stopped providing school supplies and Jesca confided the following to our social worker:

 “She doesn’t give me requirements anymore and neither do I have clothes at home since the clothes I came with are all too small now.  I can’t even sit down with the rest of her children to watch television or play because I will be reminded of how lucky I am to just be housed.”

Although Jesca currently lives in a well-to-do home, it is clear that she is not being nurtured and cared for.  She is a very smart girl and is among the best in her class; however, we are convinced that her grades would be even higher if her guardian were supporting her with what a young girl needs to grow and thrive.

Consequently, Jesca felt increasingly unwelcome there and wished to find her biological family.  We provided counseling and support, but Jesca became increasingly withdrawn and sad.  So, our team decided to set off on a journey to Western Uganda in search of her family.  And, with the help of a good Samaritan, we located the homestead of her maternal grandmother.

Many happy tears were shed and warm hugs were exchanged when Jesca reunited with not only her grandmother – but also her mother Juliet (who happened to be visiting the day we arrived), her little brother whom Jesca had never met, as well as her grandfather and other young relatives.  For the first time, Jesca seemed to genuinely smile alongside her mother and grandmother.

Jessica and her mother excused themselves for some privacy and were inseparable as they went to the garden to get plantain and cassava together.  Watching this beautiful bonding for a short period was – as our Sponsorship Coordinator, Angela reflects – simply “magical.”

With all the love and tears that Jesca’s biological family showered upon her, it’s a wonder why after all these years none of them had searched for her…but it soon becomes painfully clear just why:                                                                                                                   

 “I absolutely have no financial means whatsoever and that is why I haven’t searched for my girl,” Juliet explains with tears rolling down her face.

“I don’t have money or material wealth, but I promise to send the little I have for requirements.”

Juliet further explained that Jesca’s father had rejected and abandoned her without any support – and his whereabouts are still unknown to this day. 

Despite the grandmother’s plea for us to stay longer or leave Jesca behind with them for a while, we had to make our journey back to Kampala.  That is because Jesca is a P.7 (6^th grade) candidate and was about to sit for her final Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) on November 4^th and 5^th.  

Before leaving, it was agreed upon by both Children of Uganda’s staff and her family that Jesca would stay with them for the holidays – and she has been counting down the days ever since!  Celebrating Christmas in the warm embrace of her family will be the greatest wish fulfilled.