From a one-on-one discussion with Sserwadda Eric (Alias) who hails from Wakiso District.
His father a motor mechanic by profesion and lives in a surburb of Kampala City.
His mother was diseased and passed away.
After the death of his mother, life became very hard for Eric; it became tough to live with his father who was never interested in paying his school fees and/or care for him.
Eric left home and started living on the streets in Kampala.
He said he joined the street when he was a very young boy of about 7 years.
He was influenced by peer groups who convinced him to drop out of school to start selling airtime in the street of Kampala.
On 14.08.2018 KCCA team working with the Ministry of Gender, Labor and Social Development mobilised children on the street and bring them to places like UWESO managed Masulita Children’s Village.
Eric was admitted in UWESO-Masulita Children’s Village (MCV) and that according to him was a turning point in his life.
He shared his story and feelings about his time making a living on the streets, he was always worried and dirty, living day to day; he was never sure of tomorrow.
Eric was being exposed to all kinds of bad acts including drug trafficking, smuggling, stealing, alcoholism, child labor and torture while in the street.
The psycho-social support transformed his life; he was determined to live a different life; was providing bad acts and testimony to other children.
While in MCV, Eric enrolled in a skilling programme; he obtained certificate in welding which he hopes will help in building up his career in future.
Eric is a totally changed person and is such a humble and polite boy who is now willing to go back home to be re-united with his family and continue to study if any opportunity come.
The supportive programme at UWESO Masulita provided Eric with a second chance in life; he began seeing light and a good future for himself.
