Compelling Love

 I am KIYINGI KENNEDY C.E.O at TEAM SAVE ORPHANS-UGANDA. I was born in 1995 on the 2nd of January as told by Mrs. NABUKEERA VIOLA that adopted me after the death of my parents in 1997. She told me that my dear, loving and caring parents were eaten by wild animals as they were in their garden that was located at the far side of the forest. I survived because they had left me in her care while they sought out food.    

Viola worked as a brick layer. With the little money she made she provided for us the best she could. In the year 2000 she managed to send me to nursery school. Some time later when I graduated to primary school the schools expenses compared to her income became too high. This led me to begin working with Viola after school hours to pay for our school and home needs.  

 As time went on I began to miss school to meet the needs of work. Eventually I was forced to drop out completely and put all my focus into brick laying. In 2009, despite our best efforts, I had to leave home and begin life on the streets.

Living on the streets was terribly hard. I had no daily food, clothing, medication or bedding to stay warm on the cold nights. Imagine, I used to get food from pits and cover myself with dirty clothing during the night for warmth.      

With time I learned how to survive living on the streets and I even made some friends. I often told bible stories I had learned in school. The other children loved to hear them and because of this they loved me and provided for me in ways that I couldn’t manage on my own.    

During this time I came up with an idea to share with people about our lives and struggles on the streets. My hope was to acquire small jobs by which we could earn a living. Unfortunately many of the street children had been deeply used and were damaged, therefore they were unwilling to give my plan a try.

I decided then to not lose hope and instead do my best to be an example to my peers. I found there were many challenges getting jobs mostly because the majority of people wouldn’t trust street kids. Finally I found a building site that allowed me to work transporting heavy stones and wheelbarrows of sand and concrete. As payment I was given something to eat and a small wage, which I always saved. With work experience my wage increased a little and I was able to share something with others in need, especially the street children.     

With increases in my savings my reach extended to other needy children in the country and later developed as TEAM SAVE ORPHANS-UGANDA.  This raised my awareness that many children are parentless and homeless because of many reasons and this inspired me to open up a small orphanage.

I have dedicated a Facebook account to spread awareness of my mission with the world. I do this in hopes that others will join hands with me to make a difference in the lives of the less fortunate.    

“OUR LOVE❤💟 THEIR HOPE”

Organization Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/teamsaveorphans/

Director Ken’s personal Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/kiyingi.kenedy1