"See us, hear us, respect us, work with us."

The nyunga to family program works with street youth. Adult volunteers in the program, many of whom have a background in social work, identify and support children living on the street, particularly those in the Kiseyni slum in Kampala. The ultimate aim is to try to resettle these children back with their families in the communities they came from. However some have been on the streets too long to remember where they came from, or have family situations that are sufficiently dysfunctional that rehabilitation is not possible. With these children they either refer them to larger agencies for help, try to find foster families for them, or provide temporary help and support in the form of food, medical care and regular contact. This program also involves coordination with other agencies.

Under this program, African Hearts reaches out to 60 -80 street children two days every week through an adult presence in the slums, and hot meal and medical programs. Counselling is integrated into these activities and also sessions to aid literacy. Children are also given the means to contact our staff in case of emergency.  Unfortunately such children are regularly exposed to violence even from the authorities, are at high risk of drug addiction and prostitution, and suffer from malnutrition and many acute and chronic medical problems. In the last year African Hearts has worked successfully with 12 children who are about to be rehabilitated through reunion with their families, and has managed to rescue two other children from the slums.

Members of Brighter Smiles Africa contribute to the street outreach during their visits. Comprehensive medical clinics are offered in the Kiseyni slum, which address a range of acute and chronic medical problems that the children have. Adults in the community are also given medical care as a means of generating greater tolerance and some local support for the street youth in the slum.

Children now in care in the African Hearts homes regularly return to the slum, playing soccer with the children still there, cleaning up some of the mountains of rubbish that are everywhere, and performing for them with the organization’s band.