In Uganda

Meet Godfrey Kimbugwe. He is 16 years old and cares for his 14-year-old brother Julius. He’s determined to leave poverty behind for good – and we’re inviting you to follow his progress.

Godfrey and Julius have been fending for themselves for a year at their home near Rakai, Uganda. Their father died of AIDS when they were young. Then their mother moved away: she wanted to find a new husband and a better life, but everybody in the area knew she was HIV positive. Their 19-year-old brother Robert has to work away from home as a casual labourer.

Before Godfrey began working with Send a Cow, their home had become squalid and their land overgrown. He and Julius had to beg neighbours to let them work on their land for a little cash. They live in a house built from bare burnt bricks, covered with iron roofing. They have a wooden door and some wooden shutters on the windows but the floor is un-cemented so they sit and walk on the same mud floor as they do outside.

Godfrey's group is the Kabira Orphans Development Organisation and their aim is to kick out poverty through agriculture. Already, Godfrey has done a lot of training to get his farm up and running, and is now growing tomatoes, cabbages, and avocados. He and Julius can now eat one meal a day, mainly of cassava – just a few months ago they couldn’t be sure of eating anything. 

Their village is very rural and semi arid. It is a long way from the nearest main road down some very bumpy dirt tracks. The nearest water supply is an hour’s walk away so in the dry season this can mean three trips a day, six hours walking in total.

There is a long way to go yet but Godrey has started off well. It will be a difficult journey, but with you by his side Godfrey, and his brother Julius, hope to kick out poverty for good.

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