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It’s not a common occurrence for children in Uganda to be abandoned at birth or afterward on the streets, pit latrines, garbage pits, and taxi parks.

Some of the abandoned children are also picked from the streets of Kampala city and its neighborhoods or suburbs, according to Edward Ssempewo, the director of Rescue Mission for Street Life which is found at Lungujja, a Kampala suburb.

Many of these children end up in orphanages or institutions, which are charity organisations. 

Children from Kidron Children's Home enjoying the special meal

And these children say Christmas is among the best times of the year for them. Ssempewo says the children who have been living on the streets for a long time, where life is harsh and violent need extra love.

At home, they are given biblical or spiritual counseling, special meals, and presents such as clothes to enjoy Christmas. This enables them to feel special and that they belong.

The children also get to sing carols and even decorate the homes and institutions. They add that they sometimes visit places like beaches, museums, and national game parks. 

Children from Kidron Children's Home receive gifts from their donors

According to Christine Nakitende, a social worker of SAFE Transit Home at Nsimbe in Mpigi district, some orphanages invite children from nearby communities to celebrate Christmas with them. 

This helps the children to create friendships and learn how to respect others, Nakitende says. It also enables them to recognise the feelings of others around them and being able to decipher whether a person is happy or sad. 

The children also make gifts that they give to their sponsors or guardians as a show of gratitude, an important life skill for children to learn, Nakitende explains. 

Children from SAFE Transit Home are cutting a cake with their directors and donors

In some homes, during Christmas, the children are joined by their sponsors, guardians, charity workers, and some distinguished guests, according to Josephine Nawanyana a social worker from Kankobe Children’s Home, Mpigi district. With such an arrangement, she explains that the children learn the value of interacting with others as they meet friends and larger family.

“Since the institution depends on the Good Samaritans, well-wishers, and charitable organisations, we make a budget for that day and ask for financial support. Where we receive items including soda, rice, meat, Irish potatoes, chicken, matooke (bananas), vegetables, outdoor playing, miscellaneous among others,” says Aida Nkizi a director from Peace Transitional Home, Kalagala in Luwero district. 

Children from SAFE Transit Home with their directors, sponsors and social workers