A pledge to support health service delivery to slum dwellers

PIC: The headmistress of Katanga Community School, Florence Mukasa, distributing balloons to children of Katanga during the children's party in Katanga. (Credit: Agnes Nantambi)                

HEALTH

Good Samaritans of Norway have pledged to support Katanga slum dwellers in accessing free health services.

Speaking at Katanga Community School, Richie Kiwanuka, who is part of an organisation helping children get off the streets, said slum dwellers are friendly people.

"Because slum dwellers are very friendly people, they house other people at times, whom they are not related to. It is very risky when it comes to contracting diseases, so we want to put for them a health centre where they can access free health services," he said.

Kiwanuka revealed that the Norwegians' intervention followed an assessment done in Katanga, which showed that residents of slums dear many children yet lack the capacity to take care of them, especially education.

"By the time we came to Katanga, we had found that there are many children that had lost their parents. They were not going to school and our first help was to introduce free education so that such children can access it as one of the rehabilitation measures, "he Kiwanuka.

He said if Government can support organisations working towards transforming the lives of children in slums, it would prevent such children from growing into irresponsible citizens.

Anisha Nanyombi, a resident in Katanga, said the hope of educating her children was lying in balance after her husband prioritised taking alcohol over educating the children.

Saudah Nakawunde, a pupil of Katanga Community School, said free education had helped her learn how to read and write.

"I used to stay home when my colleagues were at school and I knew nothing. But now, I can read, write and understand English," she said.