Peter arrived on the streets of Kampala with his elder brother, Michael, when he was just 11 years old. But life on the streets of Kampala was hard for the two brothers. After a short while Peter and his brother were introduced to Retrak through the weekly feeding programme, which is well known among the street children in Kampala.

At the drop in centre the Retrak staff were able to begin to get to know the brothers and they were given the opportunity to join the Tudabujja Halfway Home with a view to resettlement with their mother. In this caring environment Peter began to soften and was excited about being part of a cottage family at Tudabujja. His brother however did not respond in the same way and eventually ran away.

Retrak staff continued to work with Peter and a visit to his home was arranged where it was discovered that his mother was HIV positive. On seeing her again, Peter knelt by his mother and said he was sorry. Hugely emotional, they cried together for the time they had missed being with each other. Back at Tudabujja, Peter continued to prepare to return home on a permanent basis. He learnt agricultural skills and attended catch-up lessons at the learning centre. When he finally returned home to his mother, Retrak made sure he was placed in a local school and staff also worked with Peter’s mother to ensure she could care for her family. With some financial help from Retrak she improved the small shop where she was selling sugar cane and tomatoes, adding some more popular food items, as well as dividing it into two so they had space to sleep. Shortly afterwards, elder brother Michael decided he was tired of the streets and also wanted to return home. Like his brother, he was supported by Retrak’s resettlement programme.

Now both the brothers are happily settled at home and doing well at school. Their teachers have commented that you could never tell they were once on the streets. Despite the vulnerability due to their mother’s poor health, it is clear that the best place for Peter and his brother is with their family where they can belong and be loved and cared for.

*Children’s names have been changed and they are all happy for us to share their story with you