UGANDA: Catholic Care for Children Success Stories in Child integration (2)
Brian in his Video Library in bid for new life
Caroline Nansukusa
Brian Baruha, aged 22, was disengaged from St. Mugagga Child Care Institute (CCI) in 2018, and was reunited with his father and an elder brother. As a young adult whose living environment has completely changed, experienced coping challenges. He made attempts to become independent and secured a job at a steel rolling mill near Jinja-Kayunga Road. His role was to mobilize scrap, a duty he said was so demanding and physically put his health at risk and later decided to quit the job. However, he departed with a number of bad habits including smoking opium.
He co-habited with a girlfriend who learnt about St. Mugagga CCI social worker as Brian’s guardian. The lady called the social worker and informed him about Brian who badly needed help. Brian went ahead to break his relationship with the girlfriend on a purported account that she was not developmental. “This lady was draining me financially,” he said. The CCI staff gave a positive response and started engaging him.
Brian who lives in Buyikwe District originally hails from Kigezi region. He, as well as his brother and father) reside in the same trading centre but do not live together. Brian meets with all of them on daily basis. He eats lunch at the father’s workplace and residence. The father is employed in a piggery project. The elder brother was once under the care of St. Mugagga boys’ home but eventually got employed as a welder in Jinja town.
Support from ARU-CCCU-GHR-CCI:
Much as Brian had left St. Mugagga, the social worker kept on visiting him to offer psycho-social support and at times, he would also come to the CCI (as a walk-in) for more counseling and guidance. His dream has always been coming up with a video library. When the CCI got financial support from ARU-CCCU, Brian was one of the beneficiaries. The social worker engaged him on what he believed would change his life and he opted for setting a video library. He was tasked to look for busy place where he could set up his business and he zeroed on Naminya trading center.
With support from St. Mugagga Boys’ Home, Brian was able to set up a video library on February 16, 2021. The CCI bought him a desktop computer, a CPU, a duplicator, speaker, 3 plastic chairs, table/counter, empty CDs and supported him with 3- month rent amounting to UGX 300,000. In addition, the CCI also paid the carpenter who installed stands where CDs and movies are hanged. Brian already had the computer skills having gone to St. Charles Lwanga Kitabi (Bushenyi) where he acquired computer skills
Brian currently dubs audio-visuals, films and sells CDs. He duplicates music at UGX 200 and film/video at UGX 1000. A recorded CD is sold at UGX 1500. According to Brian, Saturdays and Sundays are his best business days for making more sales. On such days, he makes an average of UGX 10,000. Brian reported that he saves UGX 2,000 daily. He also recently joined a cash round group which comprises of eight members.
Like in any other business, Brian cannot escape challenges. His biggest challenge currently is unreliable electricity. Sometimes it goes off yet his machines depend heavily on power. Furthermore, sometimes fellow tenants fail to contribute to their shared electric bills. He has a vulnerable and ailing father. To cut down costs, Brian lives in the video library. He is yet planning to have a residential space separate from the business premise. Besides, the trading centre where his business is located is not very vibrant.
With unlimited plans, Brian dreams of starting an eatery joint in the very trading centre where the video library is situated. He has hopes that his elder brother (a welder) would provide him with a roasting stove and with his savings, he will be able to kick off with the business. He considers this business to enable him complement his income from the video library. In three months, Brian plans to shift his business to a more vibrant trading centre.
To reinforce his plans and mitigate risks, Brain’s elder brother would be bought on board in as far as aiding him to successfully live an independent life. This is because his brother has moved on very well much as they were once in the CCI together. An assessment of whether he can manage the joint ought to be conducted. He should be encouraged to acquire a phone for purposes of en
hancing business contacts with customers.
As his business grows, he needs to acquire a smart phone since this can help him download songs, videos that he may not have on the computer. Alternatively, he acquires a MIFI for internet connectivity to the computer. This case may close since Brian has been outside St. Mugagga CCI for more than three years, he can now be left to continue living an independent life.
At least ARU-CCCU has supported 31 families for successful re-integration and some for independent living. Similarly, though some cases are supported, there are many more that received resettlement support such as chicks, cattle, goats among others. As Association of the Religious in Uganda (ARU) with the program Catholic Care for Children in Uganda, (CCCU) the team will be delighted with many more partners who have interest in seeing children enjoy a family or family-like environment with holistic development.
Families and family –like environment have been supported to enhance the resettlement of the needy. Mukisa’s grandmother was supported with 80 chicks and the project is progressing. The care giver has plans of expanding the project.
