Success Stories..A Dream Come True

A Dream Come True - Kasule Denis's story

Dennis Kasule a 16 year old orphan who heads a family from Kalagala parish never imagined his life would be what it is today. But watching him speak it is obvious his life and that of his siblings has changed tremendously.

Like so many orphans in Lyantonde district until mid 2006 part of Rakai district, this family has suffered the consequences of HIV/AIDS. Kasule’s family of 4 siblings is a closely knit and cooperative unit. This has enabled them support each other especially to attain education. Kasule and her 15 year old sister Scholastic, completed primary education in 2006, thanks to Universal Primary Education. Their half sister Jane also 15 years old is two years from completing primary school whereas their elder sister, Nakitto is a trained hair dresser courtesy of Rakai Children Trust and is working in the neighboring Masaka district.

These children lost both their parents in 1997 due to HIV/AIDS. It was very painful to see our parents die within the same year. We were very young and yet we had to nurse them says Kasule. After this their maternal uncle took over as family head but also succumbed to the disease and died in 2003.

This family was identified by John Mayanja, the area volunteer counselor who introduced them to LWF for support "I identified this family in 2000 when their uncle was down with AIDS. I had come to counsel him but also realized that these children were about to be left alone if they lost their only surviving relative". After these children lost their parents and uncle they were left hopeless and were really traumatized. "They had lost so much within a short time" adds John. At the time of their death, the parents had sold a large piece of their land to cater for medical expenses. The house the parents left behind was at the verge of collapsing with a leaking roof. "When it rained at night we would be soaked wet in the house and had to gather in a small corner to seek shelter" says Kasule. This was their biggest problem in addition to lack of food, clothes and scholastic materials. Their counselor intervened at the right time and linked them to the organization which supported them with food, clothes and scholastic materials.

Kasule and sister in front
of their new house

Life became even better for Kasule’s family when Karsten and Catherine Dam plus a group of 18 people from Denmark raised money to construct a house for this family during their visit to the Project in July 2006. A four roomed decent house and latrine have consequently been constructed for this family as well as a water tank. "I thought it was a dream when I was informed that we would get a house. It was too good to be true. We are so happy and our lives have completely changed" adds Kasule with a beam. In addition the family has been supported with 2 goats and they also rear chicken as an income generating activity to help cater for their other needs. The teachers at Kalagala Primary School where Kasule and Scholastic completed primary school say that these children’s performance at school greatly improved since the project intervened in their lives. "Kasule and Scholastic are now confident children and we hope that they will pass their Primary Leaving Exams" Says a teacher from Kalagala Primary School.

This family was also privileged to have been visited by the King of Buganda in September during his tour of Lyantonde district. The Kabaka and his entourage commended the work done by RACOBAP in assisting the vulnerable people.

Kasule says in future, he wishes to continue with school and become a counselor so he can help other children who may face similar problems to those he has encountered. "I have been inspired by my counselor John Mayanja whom I consider a Father for what he is to us. I also thank Rakai Community Based AIDS Project (RACOBAP) which came to our rescue when we had almost given up on life. To the donors who contributed to our house, kitchen, and latrine, may God reward you most abundantly." He concludes.