Deo and Zaituni (brother and sister/child-headed family)                                Return to Stories of Hope

Deo is 19 years old, in Senior 1 (grade eight), and lives with his sister, Zaituni who is also 18 and in Senior 3 (grade ten). They are currently attending Hope Integrated Academy and have been actively involved in URF’s After School Program (AFP). Deo stated that: "I have learned many things while attending the ASP and I am really enjoying learning at Hope". Through URF, Deo and Zaitun have both received sponsorship, which allows them to attend Hope and also serves to alleviate some of the financial strain they face on a daily basis. URF has also contributed to the construction of the roof on their house, and has also supplied them with mosquito nets and mattresses. 

To enable Deo and Zaituni earn a sustainable livelihood, URF has given them a cow. The cow will produce milk which provide some income to meet basic needs. At the same, they will be learning a valuable skills. The students and volunteers at Hope have helped Deo and Zaituni build the structure for the cow.

Both children have lost their parents and now live together as siblings. To provide for themselves, Deo and Zaitun work in the surrounding villages digging and also sell produce from their garden, such as beans, maize, and cassava. A few of the daily challenges they face include continuing their education (as funds are extremely hard to come by), as well as purchasing household materials. They also struggle to balance both their school work and their chores at home. However, the largest challenge they face is getting enough to eat every day, as they can sometimes go up to three days without food.  

Zaitun has dreams of being a nurse and working to assist the people of Uganda and other countries and Deo wants to be an engineer or carpenter.

                                                                                   More Pictures

              Deo and Zaituni's house                                                    Building the cow structure -students and volunteers help out