There are moments in the field when you meet children who have so little, yet somehow still find a reason to smile. Bbosa, Nakiguli, and Nalugwa are three siblings living in circumstances that no child should have to endure. Their clothes were worn, their home was in a sorry state, and their latrine was unsafe and risky to use. Yet, despite everything around them, these children welcomed the day with smiles.
When JesusFedMe found them, Nakiguli was busy playing, using sticks to build what looked like a little house. There was something beautiful about watching a child create something out of almost nothing. To Nakiguli, those sticks were enough to inspire a game. It was a small picture of childhood surviving in the middle of hardship.
Nearby, Bbosa was sitting quietly under a mango tree. He appeared peaceful, but his surroundings told another story. His clothes showed signs of poverty, and the condition of the family home reflected the difficult life they were living. There were no comfortable surroundings or abundance—only the shade of the tree and the simple things available to them.
Then there was Nalugwa, the oldest of the three. She sat thinking, carrying a maturity that seemed far beyond her years. Looking at her, we could not help but wonder what thoughts were going through her mind. What does an older child think about when there is not enough food, when the home is falling apart, and when life demands strength from children who should simply be enjoying their childhood?
We took time to ask how these children survive when there seemed to be no mother or father around. We eventually learned that their mother had gone out looking for food. She was not absent because she did not care; she was away trying to find a way to provide for her children. That reality touched us deeply. A mother should not have to leave her children behind simply because there is nothing in the house to feed them.
Their living conditions are difficult to describe. Their house is in a very poor state, and the latrine is so risky that using it can put the children in danger. Their clothing is also inadequate. These are not simply material problems—they are daily reminders of how vulnerable this family is. Yet somehow, Bbosa, Nakiguli, and Nalugwa continue to smile.
JFM could not walk away and leave them as we found them. We blessed this family with enough food to help them for at least three weeks. It may seem like a simple gift, but to a family wondering where the next meal will come from, food brings relief, dignity, and hope. Most importantly, we want these children to know that they are seen, loved, and not forgotten.
To our friends and donors in America, this is why your support matters. When you give to JFM, you are not simply helping us deliver a food package. You are helping a child eat, helping a mother breathe a little easier, and reminding families living in forgotten places that someone cares. Bbosa, Nakiguli, and Nalugwa still have their smiles—and together, with your help, we can work to protect those smiles and give them a future filled with hope.
The latrine they use
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