Young Boy Finds Sanctuary from Abusive Caregivers

Last August, staff people at the Amagara Children’s Home in Mbarara were surprised to find a thin, frightened, ten year-old boy knocking at their door.  Ragged and bleeding and too shy to ask for sanctuary, Bernard was taken in, bathed, fed and given a bed for the night.  It didn’t take long for staff people to learn his parents had died and he was living with an aunt and uncle who resented everything about him. They beat him, kept him indoors in a dark room and tied him to the bed with wire around his wrists.  Somehow he heard about Juna Amagara and escaped, scaling the barbed wire fence, running to a place he believed would take care of him.

Ministry personnel investigated Bernard’s claims and found them to be true.  He is now in the program with a sponsor and legal complaints have been lodged against the aunt and uncle.  “Here is a boy whose parents have died, who needs extra comfort and nurturing,” said Juna Amagara Executive Director Ben Tumuheirwe.  “And what does he find from the auntie who should be the nurturer but abuse and torture.  It is a double trauma for the boy.”

Children’s Home staff report his assimilation has not been easy.  For several months, Bernard was shy and suspicious – he would throw stones at the other children.  “But the kids were patient with him,” said Harriet.  “I have even heard him singing.  He smiled the other day.  And when a gift of crayons arrived for him for Christmas, he was drawing, drawing, drawing everywhere.  He will be OK.”  This photo of Bernard was taken after he had a chance to show off the Children’s Home cow – which is about to give us a calf. 

The harsh reality is there are many situations like Bernard’s in Uganda.  A nationwide campaign has been launched to try to end violence against children but the problem will not go away soon.  We are thankful God told this one young boy that the  Amagara Children’s House could be a haven of comfort and safety if only he would have the courage to escape.