Uganda Child Protection appeal
Every child should feel safe at Christmas
Uganda Child Protection appeal
Give a child in Uganda the gift of safety today…
How are you feeling as we count down to Christmas?
How might the children you know answer that question? Excited? Happy? Hopeful? The sad reality is that for some children in northern Uganda, the answer to that question – and the prospect of more time at home with their family – would be ‘scared’.
In northern Uganda, where years of civil war and poverty have already combined to make life challenging, Covid-19 has pushed families to breaking point. Sadly, in many households, it’s the children that bear the brunt. This Christmas, Child Protection Officer Valerie and Speech and Language Therapist Isaac are working to protect and safeguard children, supporting their families and stopping abuse before it can even happen. Please give whatever you can using the form below, and please continue to pray for this work.
Read stories of Isaac and Valerie’s work below.
Isaac’s been supporting
Grace and Ephrahim
with vital speech therapy.
Your gifts will be used to support BMS’ work to protect children in Uganda and provide speech therapy. If our appeal target is exceeded, we will use additional funds to support other urgent work in the world’s most marginalised countries.
- £30 can help Valerie to protect children like Aber and Laker* from forced marriages and abuse
- £70 can help set up a speech and language practice in northern Uganda, offering vital therapy through Isaac for vulnerable children and their families
- £300 can help Valerie to give safeguarding training to teachers, local councillors and families so that abuse of more young children is prevented before it can even happen
Use the form on the left to give by credit or debit card and help children in northern Uganda today.
Or, set up a regular gift to BMS to provide long-term support for them and others across the world!
*Names changed
Valerie providing
child protection training
Read Aber, Laker and Naomi's stories here
Aber* is a bright and hard-working 13-year-old girl, with incredible potential.
But all that was about to change. In the first lockdown, child protection officer Valerie was contacted by Aber’s head teacher. He said Aber’s family was in the process of arranging a marriage for her, so they could secure some income.
In Uganda, there are some 5 million child brides, with 1.3 million married before 15. “It’s not legal,” says Valerie, “but it’s as if it’s legal, it’s done so much. The man would be much older, and already have two or three wives.”
Valerie immediately went to Aber’s home, bringing a lawyer. The lawyer was very firm, and explained Aber must go back to school. Valerie then worked with her contacts – local counsellors, the headmaster and others. “We made sure we involved everyone who was a help to the girl and her future,” says Valerie. The head teacher even said she didn’t have to pay school fees. Aber is now back in class, and is one of the most successful students in the school.
Without this intervention, Aber’s childhood and potential would be a distant memory by now. But Aber is one of the very fortunate ones. Many children Valerie helps have already endured a lot of suffering. The need is even greater than before the pandemic. So please – don’t delay in giving.
*Names have been changed for protection.
When Valerie met 12-year-old Laker*, she had recently survived terrible abuse at the hands of her uncle. Valerie couldn’t be there to stop it happening. But she could find Laker a safe new home.
Valerie got Laker the hospital treatment she needed, and helped her mother report the attack. Despite everything, Laker and her little brother are now beginning to thrive, with Valerie’s support. Valerie says, “They’re such beautiful children. They’re doing really well and smiling from ear to ear.”
There are so many very hard stories like this coming from Uganda. We urgently need your help this Christmas to go further and break these terrifying cycles of abuse. Please give whatever you can, and please continue to pray for this work.
*Names have been changed for protection.
Naomi’s* father had decided she should be drowned. Why? Because she has Down Syndrome. After they fled their home, Isaac supported Naomi’s mother to start a new life and create a safe and loving environment for her daughter.
As a speech and language therapist in northern Uganda, Isaac helps families to understand conditions like Down Syndrome, raises awareness and helps children express themselves and their needs.
Your support can help to reach more children like Naomi, prevent abuse or abandonment, and allow them to flourish.