Shine Care Charity For Unprivileged (SCCU) Uganda

Yassin

11 years old · Male · kasokoso

Yassin is only 11 years old, but life has already asked him to carry responsibilities that should not belong to a child.

He lives in Kasokoso with his single mother, who runs a small food stall to support their family. When his mother needs help, Yassin delivers meals and does what he can to contribute to their daily survival.

But behind this responsibility is a young boy with a dream.

Yassin wants to become an engineer.

Poverty, however, has kept him away from school. Without regular education, he has missed lessons, friendships, guidance, and the safe environment that school provides for a child his age.

As he spends more time away from school and surrounded by the pressures of poverty, Yassin has also become vulnerable to negative influences. At times, he has resorted to stealing to cope with difficult circumstances.

But we do not believe these actions define Yassin.

We see a young boy who has been pushed into circumstances beyond his years and who still holds onto a dream for his future.

Yassin needs more than correction. He needs an opportunity.

Returning him to school can give him structure, positive relationships, guidance, and the chance to discover what he is capable of. With the right support, we believe Yassin can leave behind the circumstances that have held him back and begin building the future he dreams about.

Liam

5 years old · Male · kasokoso

Liam is only 5 years old, but he has already experienced a loss no child should have to face. He lost his father early in life and was left in a family situation where consistent care and support were difficult to find.

When we learned about Liam’s situation in Kasokoso, we knew we could not stand by. We brought Liam into our care and gave him what every child deserves: safety, love, care, and a chance to grow.

Today, we provide Liam with a safe and nurturing environment where his basic needs are met and his wellbeing comes first. He is growing, playing, learning, and experiencing the simple joys of childhood.

But Liam’s journey is not over.

With your support, we can continue giving Liam the care, stability, and opportunities he needs to grow into a healthy, confident, and hopeful young man.

Your support can help us keep a child like Liam safe today and give him a better tomorrow.

ANGEL

7 years old · Female · Kasokoso

At just seven years old, Angel already knows what she wants to become.

She wants to be a doctor.

For Angel, that dream begins with something many children take for granted: being able to go to school every day.

Angel lives in Kasokoso with her single parent. Her family faces serious financial difficulties, and although her parent does everything possible to support her, keeping up with school fees has become a constant struggle.

Sometimes Angel goes to school excited to learn. She sits in class, listens to her teachers, plays with her friends, and takes another step toward the future she imagines.

But when school fees are not paid, Angel is sent home.

And every time she leaves school, she leaves behind lessons she cannot get back.

For a young girl who dreams of becoming a doctor, these interruptions can slowly make her journey harder. She should be thinking about what she wants to learn, not whether she will be allowed to remain in class.

Angel does not lack ambition. She does not lack the desire to learn. What stands between her and her dream is financial hardship.

We believe her circumstances should not determine her future.

Through our support, we want to help Angel remain in school consistently, focus on her studies, and grow in confidence. With the right support around her, she can keep learning today while building toward the doctor she hopes to become tomorrow.

Elijah

5 years old · Male · Kasokoso

Elijah is only 5 years old, but his courage is already remarkable.

He was born with severe physical disabilities affecting both his arms and legs. He cannot use his hands and legs in the way most children do, and many simple things that other children take for granted require enormous effort from him.

But Elijah does not easily give up.

He has learned to use the upper parts of his arms to do things many people would never imagine possible. He can write. He can eat. He can participate. He keeps finding a way.

Then, while still very young, Elijah lost his father.

Today, his mother raises him alone. She loves her son deeply and does everything she can for him, but the cost of specialised care, medical treatment, mobility support, and education is far beyond what she can comfortably afford.

Elijah also has difficulty speaking clearly because of a condition affecting his mouth. He understands what people say and finds other ways to express himself, but being unable to communicate clearly can make it difficult for him to participate fully in school and everyday life.

Medical specialists have indicated that surgery could significantly improve his speech. For Elijah, this would mean more than being able to speak more clearly. It could mean being heard. Being understood. Being able to participate more freely in the world around him.

Despite everything he has faced, Elijah loves learning.

And when we ask him what he wants to become when he grows up, his answer is remarkable:

“I want to be a doctor.”

But Elijah's dream goes even deeper. He wants to become a doctor so that he can help children and adults living with disabilities - people who understand the challenges he is facing today.

That is the kind of child Elijah is.

He is not asking the world to feel sorry for him. He is showing us what can be possible when a child is given a chance.

We have welcomed Elijah into our care because we believe his disability should never determine the size of his dreams. We want to help him access the treatment, education, support, and encouragement he needs to keep moving forward.

Takia

12 years old · Female · Kireka D

Takia has faced challenges from the very beginning of her life. She was born with a physical disability that affects both her arms and legs, making mobility and some everyday activities difficult. She relies on a wheelchair to move around.

At a young age, Takia also experienced the devastating loss of both her parents. Losing the people who should have been her greatest source of protection and support left her particularly vulnerable.

When we learned about Takia's situation, we saw more than her challenges. We saw a bright, determined young girl with dreams worth protecting.

We welcomed Takia into our care and have worked to create an environment where she can feel safe, valued, and encouraged. We support her wellbeing while helping her continue her education and develop confidence in her abilities.

Takia is now in Primary 5, and she genuinely loves learning. She is especially hopeful about her future and dreams of becoming an accountant. Her determination reminds us that disability or difficult circumstances should never be allowed to define a child's future.

With the right support, Takia can continue learning, developing her abilities, and moving closer to the independent future she imagines for herself.

At 13 years old, Kenega Jonathan embodies resilience despite facing significant challenges after the early loss of his father. His life has been marked by uncertainty and instability, making his childhood feel unpredictable.

When Shine Care Charity For Unprivileged (SCCU) Uganda first learned about Jonathan, we recognized his need for safety, love, and support. Our care program embraced him, offering protection, nourishing meals, and the reassurance that he is not alone. This commitment has profoundly transformed his life.

Today, Jonathan experiences warmth and laughter in his daily life. He plays joyfully with friends and approaches learning with eagerness, free from the burdens he once bore.

Although Jonathan has made significant progress, his journey is ongoing. He requires continued support to help him grow into a healthy and confident young man. Your assistance can provide the stability and encouragement he needs to reach his full potential.