Head of the family at 13

Gladys Kalibbala

After losing both parents, Saulo Atuyambe is grapling with the dilemma of early parenthood.

Saulo Atuyambe, 16, can only be described as strong, intelligent and determined. When his father, John Bosco Agaba, passed on in 2005, he had to care for his three siblings together with his mother, Medius Ayinake.  

Unfortunately, his mum also died in 2009. Their late parents were residents of Kanyasheko Zone B, Nyabuhikye sub-county, Ibanda district. Atuyambe, who has been caring for the family since then, says life has not been easy and appeals to well-wishers to come to his family’s aid.

Atuyambe’s story 

When mum fell sick in 2009, I was forced to drop out of school for one year to attend to her as she was bed-ridden. After her death, an aunt stayed behind for a few weeks and left, explaining she had left young children behind.

I later resumed studies, but also started making bricks as well as digging in people’s gardens to support my siblings. This also helped me get enough food as the 50x100 plot we have is not enough for us to cultivate food.

We thank the LC1 chairperson Moses Rubare, and the community around us who have always provided food whenever we do not have.

When I returned home to care for mum and look for scholastic materials for my siblings, the school management of Kasambya Primary School offered scholarship to them and my sister, Caroline Tugabirwe, 14, was admitted into the boarding section.

Their generosity was rewarded as she got Aggregate 11 in her Primary Leaving Exams. She wanted to go to Kibubura Girls SS but there was no money However, our uncle, Gerald Asiimwe, a lorry driver, who is the only other relative we know, took her to Mwamba SS where she will join S3 this year.

I also managed to go back to school and sat for my PLE at Kasambya Primary School last year. My sister, Olivia Twinamatsiko, is joining P.7. this year, while the last-born, Albert Atwemerire, 10, will be joining P6.

Dilemma

I badly need someone to cater for my secondary school education. However, this meant that the other two young ones would not get scholastic materials as I will not be working.

Also, after the death of our parents, the latrine collapsed and I have not managed to dig up one which leaves us in a bad environment.

If you want to offer help, write to csr@newvision.co.ug  Or call 0718464283