By: Matthew Montgomery
Program Director, Beacon of Hope Uganda
Know that although in the eternal scheme of things you are small, you are also unique and irreplaceable as are your fellow humans everywhere in the world.
- Margaret Laurence
I left Canada, eager, optimistic and content with my career choice. Still to this day I believe I could not be happier doing anything else. I was bound for Mukono Uganda, a small suburb of Kampala. Hired by a grassroots organization known as Beacon of Hope Uganda my job was to help increase their capacity to empower orphans and disadvantaged youth whom have been left to fend for themselves.
As a privileged child growing up in the Caledon area I have had easy access to quality education from various institutions across Ontario from Palgrave Public School to the University of Western Ontario. I am thankful for these educational experiences and the opportunities that will be presented to me because of them. I have also been the beneficiary of remarkable parents. The greatest gift of all is a parent who loves their child unconditionally and dedicates their life to their child’s development. Both my parents - John and Leslie Montgomery - have far exceeded this objective.
I cannot imagine a life without my parents, their unconditional love and devotion for me has been the greatest gift in my life and has given me the strength and ability to accomplish my educational achievements so far. It truly strikes a chord to hear the voices of children in Uganda pleading for an education, knowing that we have few resources to help them attain anything.
I have witnessed firsthand the devastation of children who have lost both parents. Now living in an orphanage, they have no money and must survive on one small meal a day. An invisible cloak has fallen silently over these children, suffocating their self esteem and muting their cries for help.
The HIV/AIDS prevalence rate in Mukono is slightly higher than the national average falling at 6.5 per cent. The number of children who face the plight of raising themselves as a result of HIV/AIDS continues to grow.
The likelihood for Mukono to grow to be a slum is unfortunately very high unless action is taken. The population density in Mukono is 175.7 people per km², 29.5 per cent higher than the national average and the rate of urbanization in Mukono is 25.3 compared the national average of 12.27. Many of the youths age 14-19 are out of school and unable to afford school fees. The local streets witness a flood of youths who scrape by for a means to live. Some youths often resort to illegal activities like joining gangs in order to retain a small income for food.
Beacon of Hope looks to provide these youths with the opportunity to earn some money part time and teaches them to utilize these funds for education either by way of traditional academics or vocational training. Our goal is to help alleviate them from poverty, empower their minds and boost their self confidence to help the children of Uganda see and create positives futures for themselves.
John Stewart Mills once stated, very few facts are able to tell their own story, without comments to bring out their meaning. I’ve stated the facts, this is my story and I sincerely hope that it resonates with you. Knowing is half the battle I urge you to reach out for someone in need. If not the children of Uganda, then the children suffering in other parts of Africa, South America and East Asia. There are an abundance of children quietly drowning in the whirlpool of poverty.
