Drop-In Center for the Street Children

This morning I finally made it to the drop-in center for street children. Every day at midmorning these kids take a break from their smoking, begging and stealing and slowly make their way to the center for medicine, English lessons and food. The drop in center is merely a modest home, renovated for the children and maintained by a small group of four missionaries. As the kids trickle in from the streets, they begin their daily routine of bathing, washing their clothing and checking on their personal veggies patches. At midday the pastor arrives and speaks to the children about God and his many miracles. Afterwards, the kids cover their eyes and say grace. On Monday, Wednesday and Friday, the kids are treated to a hearty lunch of matoke/posho/rice/cabbage/beans. On Tuesday and Thursday, the kids are given a smaller meal of bananas and porridge. These are probably the only meals they will eat all day. On the weekends, they must fend for themselves.

Meet Pam. Pam and her husband run the show at this center. In their early sixties, Pam and her husband have devoted the remainder of their lives to doing Gods will. They have lived here in Uganda for five years and, as Pam put it, "they will have to bury me here." In fact, their missionary work has become a family tradition - their son and his wife have now moved to Kabale, as well.

I have discussed with Pam the possibility of working at the center during midmorning, when my own kids are at school. I couldn't be more excited. Each of these kids has a story - some being orphans, some abused, some neglected and others turning to the streets for the freedom that it comes with. Most are addicted to marijuana and inhaling glue. One of these kids was released from prison just this morning, where he had been held for several weeks without any formal charges being brought against him. The story? "The police find the kids sleeping on the streets. They beat them. This one, he didn't run fast enough." These kids are fascinating - they truly know how to survive. And in these few hours in the morning, they are allowed to be kids, nothing more, nothing less.

And so until I know more, here are some pictures from my visit this morning!!