Atiq Nawaz, President Pakistani Association Lira- Uganda hands over the donation to Ngetta Babies Home, Lira City. All photos by Sharon Akello
By Sharon Akello
Lira
Ngetta Babies’ home is seeking shs192mto rehabilitate the facility that was founded by founded by the Comboni Missionaries in 1968.
The facility, is located in Lira City East Division, Lira City is the first and only orphanage in Lango sub-region.
However, Sr. Demmy Frances, the in charge of the Babies’ Home said the facility is in a sorry state and needs a facelift because part of the infrastructure is “falling on the children.”
“These iron sheets have taken more than 56 years and now the rooms are leaking hence we have nowhere to put these children,” Sr. Frances revealed.
Fundraising drive to renovate Ngetta Babies’ home
Ngetta Babies’ Home doesn’t get any funding from the government or any organizations, except aid from well-wishers.
On December 28, 2023, the center raised over shs50m in a fundraising drive to renovate the center.
The event attended by numerous Christians from all walks under the Lira Catholic Diocese, saw several well-wishers, government employees, and civil servants giving out the little resources they had to support the home.
The probation officer, Ronnie Olaa, said there is no budget for the facility since the minister of Gender Labor and Social development pledged to support the facility.
In September 2021, Betty Amongi, the Minister of Gender, Labor, and Social Development during her courtesy visit to the facility, pledged to include it in the 2021/2022 budget process. However, the pledge is yet to be honored.
Shortage of food, medication
Ngetta Babies Home cares for 17 children and is managed by 12 board members. The babies either lost their mothers at birth or were abandoned.
She said the children rely on Nan milk which is expensive. A tin of Nan milk ranges from 35,000 shillings to 45,000 shillings, depending on the age group, it is intended.
“…and if the child has appetite within two days one tin is used up all,” Sr. Frances said.
Sr. Frances disclosed that because most of the babies are suffering from different ailments such as sickle cell, asthma, and HIV and are on medication, they require better feeding, yet the facility has limited resources.
Because of financial constraints, and poor infrastructure, the babies’ home has given up 39 of the 56 babies for adoption and is keeping only 17.
Donations
The Pakistani Association in Lira City has been donating food and non-food items to support the vulnerable children at the foster care center.
On January 1, 2024, the association donated rice, sugar, milk, posho, cooking oil, soap, salt, and balls to the babies’ home.
Sadar Muhammed Atiq Nawaz, the President of the Pakistani Association in Lira, said the donation is part of the association’s annual contribution towards supporting vulnerable children.
Nawaz said although they come from another country, their community has a heart for giving to the needy.
“As their leader, I always feel proud that my members contribute towards the vulnerable people around,” Nawaz said.
He said their annual visit to the babies’ home every 1st of every new year is a show of love and solidarity with the homeless children.
“We don’t only contribute to Ngetta Babies’ Home only but we also give support to the disabled persons, organize free medical camps, so I want to thank all my members who are here and urge them to continue with the same spirit,” he added.
In 1982, Mary Mother of the Church joined the effort, saving the lives of over 1,000 children who have since achieved success in various aspects of life.
