Sanyu Babies Home, Uganda’s oldest facility dedicated to caring for abandoned, orphaned, and abused infants and toddlers, is bursting at the seams with 22 boys who have been left without guardians, prompting an urgent appeal for kind-hearted Ugandans to step forward and adopt.
A social worker at the home revealed that the number of boys abandoned every month now exceeds that of girls. Yet when prospective parents visit, they almost always prefer to adopt girls, leaving the boys behind.
“The facility is small and already overcrowded,” he said, adding that people’s reluctance often stems from fear of added responsibilities, questions from relatives, and other personal concerns.
The remarks were made during a heartfelt visit by pupils and teachers from Savannah Schools in Makindye Division, Kampala District. The school group chose the babies’ home as part of their activities to mark World Health Day using the occasion to teach students the importance of compassion, sharing, and supporting the vulnerable.
The visitors donated essential items including milk, diapers (pampers), sugar, clothes, flour, and other daily necessities to help ease the burden on the overstretched facility.
The social worker noted that while the home’s official capacity is about 50 children , it is currently sheltering 53. Many of the children come from various parts of Kampala, with some days seeing as many as 10 new arrivals . Most are aged from a few days old up to about four years.
Godfrey Bwabye Kigongo head teacher of Savannah Schools, explained that the visit was deliberately organised to instil strong moral values in the pupils.
“We wanted to teach our students the importance of sharing, helping, giving, and being there for others,” he said.
Kigongo expressed deep concern over the rising wave of child abandonment, linking much of it to broken marriages and family breakdowns. He appealed to married couples to resolve their differences amicably rather than deserting their children. “These innocent souls should not pay the price for our failures as adults,” he added.
Speaking on behalf of the pupils, Myra Gift Kalule thanked the home’s caregivers and urged more members of the public to support the children. She also had a strong message for her fellow students: “Avoid falling into relationships that could lead to such problems in future.”
Sanyu Babies Home, established in 1929 and long known as the “Home of Joy,” typically cares for up to 50 babies and toddlers. It works to reunite children with relatives where possible or facilitate adoption and fostering. However, the persistent imbalance in adoptions with boys lingering longer has created a growing challenge.
The home continues to rely on donations and goodwill from the community to provide food, medical care, clothing, and a loving environment for these vulnerable little ones.
Kind hearted individuals or families interested in adoption, fostering, or making donations are encouraged to reach out to Sanyu Babies Home directly.
A social worker at the home revealed that the number of boys abandoned every month now exceeds that of girls. Yet when prospective parents visit, they almost always prefer to adopt girls, leaving the boys behind.
“The facility is small and already overcrowded,” he said, adding that people’s reluctance often stems from fear of added responsibilities, questions from relatives, and other personal concerns.
The remarks were made during a heartfelt visit by pupils and teachers from Savannah Schools in Makindye Division, Kampala District. The school group chose the babies’ home as part of their activities to mark World Health Day using the occasion to teach students the importance of compassion, sharing, and supporting the vulnerable.
The visitors donated essential items including milk, diapers (pampers), sugar, clothes, flour, and other daily necessities to help ease the burden on the overstretched facility.
The social worker noted that while the home’s official capacity is about 50 children , it is currently sheltering 53. Many of the children come from various parts of Kampala, with some days seeing as many as 10 new arrivals . Most are aged from a few days old up to about four years.
Godfrey Bwabye Kigongo head teacher of Savannah Schools, explained that the visit was deliberately organised to instil strong moral values in the pupils.
“We wanted to teach our students the importance of sharing, helping, giving, and being there for others,” he said.
Kigongo expressed deep concern over the rising wave of child abandonment, linking much of it to broken marriages and family breakdowns. He appealed to married couples to resolve their differences amicably rather than deserting their children. “These innocent souls should not pay the price for our failures as adults,” he added.
Speaking on behalf of the pupils, Myra Gift Kalule thanked the home’s caregivers and urged more members of the public to support the children. She also had a strong message for her fellow students: “Avoid falling into relationships that could lead to such problems in future.”
Sanyu Babies Home, established in 1929 and long known as the “Home of Joy,” typically cares for up to 50 babies and toddlers. It works to reunite children with relatives where possible or facilitate adoption and fostering. However, the persistent imbalance in adoptions with boys lingering longer has created a growing challenge.
The home continues to rely on donations and goodwill from the community to provide food, medical care, clothing, and a loving environment for these vulnerable little ones.
Kind hearted individuals or families interested in adoption, fostering, or making donations are encouraged to reach out to Sanyu Babies Home directly.
