Weema Clinic delivers first baby!

Last month, the Weema Clinic celebrated its first birth since opening. The delivery was urgent, and despite lack of equipment and resources at the clinic, the team was able to deliver a healthy baby. The baby’s mother was a child whom KCM rescued from sexual abuse by her uncle. So while it’s a tragic story,… Continue reading Weema Clinic delivers first baby!

Child sacrifice cases rise during COVID

Frontline workers in Kyampisi have reported that the incidence of abuse (which includes rape, paedophilia, domestic violence and trafficking) has sharply risen during COVID-19. There has also been an increase in witchcraft-related child abductions and sacrifices, with many children not surviving the trauma. Unfortunately, police resources, which were always limited, are now even more stretched… Continue reading Child sacrifice cases rise during COVID

A street boy’s life during lockdown

When you went into COVID-19 lockdown, maybe you started fearing for your health, job security or food supply. After all, we didn’t know what it would mean for us. But you probably never once feared that you would be beaten. Or chased out of your town. Or attacked in the middle of the night while… Continue reading A street boy’s life during lockdown

Weema: When a dream becomes reality

Back in 2010, I found myself sitting next to a young man called Peter Sewakiryanga while on a plane returning from South Africa. It was a chance meeting that really was ‘meant to be’ because the airline made an error and I was seated several rows apart from my wife, Anne. As a result of… Continue reading Weema: When a dream becomes reality

A school that’s changing a village

The story of Rock Hill School is one of miracle after miracle. From chance meetings on planes, to the generosity of sponsors, the school now stands with 400+ students. It’s a story of slow but steady progress that has completely changed a village. By Anne Mitchell, DIAS Pioneer Kyampisi is a very poor village. In… Continue reading A school that’s changing a village

The Daughters of Kisumu

While she was at school, she noticed some blood on her skirt. She didn’t know what was happening to her and she was too ashamed to say anything.  A friend told her about a man who could get her some sanitary products, so she got some from him. When the next month came around, she… Continue reading The Daughters of Kisumu

Shelin: a crusader against child sacrifice

“With hope as the only tangible reality, justice still remains a dream that every victim envisions before they wake up from the ugly nightmare of child sacrifice that smothers a bright future.” These are powerful words from a courageous woman who’s been working to stop child sacrifice since 2009. Meet Shelin. She’s a single mother… Continue reading Shelin: a crusader against child sacrifice

Growing up too young

Kisumu seems to be screaming out a story of abandonment. Parents die at a young age, with their children being forced to grow up far more quickly than they should. That’s exactly what happened to the neighbours living beside the Milele Centre. The four children, aged six to 16 years old, have been living alone… Continue reading Growing up too young

Children rescued from terrorist group

In May, 126 children were rescued from a radical Islamic terrorist group in Uganda. These children were kidnapped, held hostage, abused and trained by the group, so they could be trafficked to the Democratic Republic of Congo. It’s difficult to imagine exactly what happened to them… the beatings, torture and starvation, all so they could… Continue reading Children rescued from terrorist group

This is why they live on the streets

There are many reasons these boys in Bungoma find themselves living on the streets… and it often takes a pretty awful situation at home for them to choose the tough street life. One such situation is caused by a cultural phenomenon called “widow inheritance” where if a husband dies, the widow is kicked out of… Continue reading This is why they live on the streets