Wamalanakku Foundation restores hope among Wakiso orphans
Mar 09, 2012
Joyce Gwokyalo lost her husband five years ago. Some of her children who are as young as three didn’t get to know their father, let alone the death of their father. The dream of going to school like any other children faded like the morning mist.
By Patrick Jaramogi
Joyce Gwokyalo lost her husband five years ago. Some of her children who are as young as three didn’t get to know their father, let alone the death of their father. The dream of going to school like any other children faded like the morning mist.
Gwokyala was left hopeless, but her hopes were restored when she approached Wamalanakku Orphans Foundation and Centre for Vulnerable Children (WOFC) located in Bbira nine miles along the Kampala Mityana highway.
With the support of Salim Kimera Galibawo, Gwokyala’s four children are among the over 50 currently being supported by the foundation that was founded by Kimera in 2008.
Though he dropped out of school in Primary three, Salim Kimera Galibawo has a dream to champion literacy among the hundreds of vulnerable children and orphans in Wakiso district.
“I personally didn’t study much because my parents didn’t have the capacity. Matters even got worse when my parents were killed in the 1980 bush war. I don’t want the children in my community to undergo the same suffering I went through,” he told Mwalimu. Kimera aged 43 said his dream is to help the vulnerable achieve literacy to the highest level possible.
Juliet Namuleme who has two orphans being sponsored by the Wamalanakku foundation has praises for Kimera. “Kimera is our darling. He has brought smiles and Namuleme’s children Gilbert Kinarwa and Gerald Ssekungu were among the 50 children who received part bursaries last week.
The 50 orphans of Bbira Nakabugo in Wakiso district who were thrown out of school for lack of school fees are back in class after they got bursaries from Wamalanakku Foundation.
“When my husband died five years ago, I had no hope of ever educating my children. Today I am glad that they are able to return to school after Kimera rescued us,” said Joyce Gwokyala, a mother of four.
“I felt touched when I saw many children staying at home, some baby sitting. I decided with my little resources to support them restore hope and pride to the orphaned and vulnerable children,” said Kimera. Kimera who is known in the suburbs of Wakiso as “Basajjabalaba” is also a renowned contractor in Wakiso district.
Over Shs5m was recently handed over to the 50 children who are studying in various schools within Wakiso district.
“Since we don’t have much yet, we can only support by offering half bursaries for primary children studying in primary one- seven,” Kimera said at the function held at Bbira.
Kimera said he had set up a primary and secondary school and a vocational skills training center to support widows, orphans and vulnerable children.
Ahmed Lubega Kasumba said the support that Kimera has given to the locals is so ernomous that no amount of thank you can surpass it.
"We treasure him and his initiative to start the foundation. He has brought joy in the hearts of many vulnerable children and parents," he said.
According to statistics from Wakiso there at least 35,000 children staying at home due to a number of factors ranging from lack of school fees, scholastic materials, uniforms and medical care.