Meet the Children
These are the children currently in the care of Anikana Foundation in Jinja, Uganda. Photos and stories are published with partner approval. We use first or public names only, and we never publish private histories.
Showing 33 of 33 children.
Top Class
Nakimuli was left with her grandmother shortly after she was born. Her grandmother loved her but was elderly, in poor health, and facing serious financial hardship, which made it difficult to provide the care Nakimuli needed.
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P.6
Amos' parents died from HIV/AIDS, leaving him in the care of his grandfather. His grandfather was also vulnerable and unable to provide consistently for him.
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P.1
Tumusime is one of three children whose family was torn apart after their mother was diagnosed with HIV. Their father left the family, and their mother, with no stable employment, eventually turned to sex work to survive.
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S.2
Abraham is one of five children who endured severe family instability, neglect, abuse, and child labor. Their family was fractured after their father discovered that some of the children were not biologically his, and the children experienced the consequences of conflict between their parents.
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P.6
Jonathan is one of five children who endured severe family instability, neglect, abuse, and child labor. Their family was fractured after their father discovered that some of the children were not biologically his, and the children experienced the consequences of conflict between their parents.
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P.4
Danesse is one of five children who endured severe family instability, neglect, abuse, and child labor. Their family was fractured after their father discovered that some of the children were not biologically his, and the children experienced the consequences of conflict between their parents.
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S.4
Mawanda never had the opportunity to know his father, who died before he was born. His mother, who was living with HIV, faced severe hardship and was eventually forced to leave home, while Mawanda remained with his grandmother.
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P.1
Because of gender-based violence in his family, Nabeel was abandoned and left in the care of his grandmother. She was elderly and struggled to care for him, and she later died.
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P.7
Abuwaheed grew up without knowing his parents and lived with people to whom he had no close family connection. He experienced serious emotional, physical, and psychological mistreatment and, at a young age, began to feel that he had nowhere he truly belonged.
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S.1
Joel became an orphan after the death of his parents during the COVID period and was living with his older brother. His brother did not have stable employment, and everyday life became extremely difficult.
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P.2
After Mansu’s parents died, he was left in the care of his grandmother. She was living in extreme poverty and could not afford the food, education, and other necessities he needed.
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P.6
Nakimera’s father died, and later her mother was seriously injured in an accident and could no longer work. With no other reliable source of support, life became extremely difficult for Nakimera.
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P.3
Destine is one of five children who endured severe family instability, neglect, abuse, and child labor. Their family was fractured after their father discovered that some of the children were not biologically his, and the children experienced the consequences of conflict between their parents.
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P.6
Priscilla lived with her aunt because she did not know the whereabouts of her parents. Her aunt struggled with alcohol and, according to the family’s account, placed Priscilla in unsafe situations by sending her to adult men in exchange for money or alcohol.
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Top Class
Waiswa was involved in an accident with his parents that profoundly affected his family and his well-being. He experienced significant emotional distress afterward, and he continues to struggle with a leg injury that requires proper medical attention.
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P.4
Kirabo was left vulnerable because of gender-based violence and poverty within her family. Her parents were unable or unwilling to provide the care she needed, leaving her without consistent support.
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P.2
Ayebale is one of three children whose family was torn apart after their mother was diagnosed with HIV. Their father left the family, and their mother, with no stable employment, eventually turned to sex work to survive.
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P.1
Atuhaire lived with a friend of her mother. Her mother had worked as a casual laborer in town but one day left and did not return.
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Day Care
Mubiru was left with his grandfather after his parents disappeared from his life and never returned. According to the information available to the family, both parents later died.
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Day Care
Kasakya’s mother died during an operation, leaving her in the care of her grandmother. Her father was unknown, and her grandmother was overwhelmed by grief and unable to provide the level of care Kasakya needed.
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P.2
Both of Kwagala’s parents were affected by HIV/AIDS. Her father died first, leaving her with her mother, who later also died after struggling with depression.
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P.3
Choice lived with her mother, who was unemployed and struggled heavily with alcohol. As her mother became less able to care for her, Choice was increasingly forced to look after herself and began spending time on the streets.
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P.3
Kitibwa grew up in severe poverty, in a family where the adults were unable to provide consistent care and protection. The children were often left to fend for themselves, creating serious risks for their safety and future.
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P.2
Mulungi grew up amid poverty and gender-based violence at home. According to the family’s account, his father struggled with alcohol, was violent toward the family, and later died while returning home.
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Middle Class
Mukulu grew up in severe poverty, in a family where the adults were unable to provide consistent care and protection. The children were often left to fend for themselves, creating serious risks for their safety and future.
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P.1
Opuku’s father developed a serious gambling problem, accumulated debts, and sold the family’s belongings. His wife eventually left, leaving him to care for Opuku alone.
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P.2
Achelo’s mother is living with HIV and has faced significant discrimination and social isolation. With Achelo’s father absent, the family struggled to obtain enough food and meet basic needs.
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P.3
Mariam lived with her single mother, who was unemployed and struggling with poverty. Instead of attending school consistently, Mariam was often sent to the streets to sell items such as bananas so the family could survive.
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S.5
Isaac left home because of severe conflict with his stepfather. As the firstborn child, he was deeply loved by his mother, which reportedly created jealousy and led to mistreatment by his stepfather.
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Day Care
Mutanda was abandoned at birth. Her mother had become pregnant through rape and did not know the identity of Mutanda’s father.
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P.5
Nankya lived with her stepmother while her biological mother was absent amid gender-based violence in the family. She sometimes went without food and clothing, and the adults around her were unable to provide consistent care.
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Middle Class
Joella is one of five children who endured severe family instability, neglect, abuse, and child labor. Their family was fractured after their father discovered that some of the children were not biologically his, and the children experienced the consequences of conflict between their parents.
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Middle Class
Tumuhimbise is one of three children whose family was torn apart after their mother was diagnosed with HIV. Their father left the family, and their mother, with no stable employment, eventually turned to sex work to survive.
Read their storyGifts are given to Jordan River Charity, not to an individual child, and are used to support the mission and responsible operations. We do not offer individual sponsorship at this time and we do not guarantee specific outcomes or timelines.
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