Bruno's Story
Bruno is a 15 year old Primary 5 student at Nyaka. Like many of the children, he looks young for his age. He is quiet but attentive in school and performs very well. Bruno's father died in 1998 and his mother dies two years after that. His father was a successful farmer and had a banana plantation and other crops. He owned cattle and goats and built his family a fairly large compound to live on. After his parents death, Bruno's grandfather and aunt, who also lived on the compound, also died. These deaths left Bruno alone with his two older brothers. An uncle came to claim some of the property and also took Bruno's older brothers to work for him and look after a great-grandmother.

As a result of these tragedies, Bruno lives alone. It is hard to imagine a young child living by himself every day. Imagine living alone on the compound. There are four buildings, three of which are abandoned. There are some gardens which Bruno tries to maintain along with some banana tress. Otherwise there is nothing. No people, no pets, no company, no protection. No food in the kitchen except for some bananas and a few mangos. And just one young boy, trying to make it on his own, day by day.

Bruno is extraordinarily brave and has made the most of his difficult circumstances. Circumstances that have come about by the HIV/AIDS crisis. Nyaka is a haven of hope for him as several adults from the school visit Bruno often and keep him company at night. Like many Nyaka children, Bruno has nightmares and difficulty sleeping. Bruno talks about practicing his homework in his head when he struggles with sleep during the night.

Shirah is an eleven year old student at Nyaka. She is in Primary 6 and has been given a solo to perform at an upcoming benefit dinner in Kampala. She dances and her voice soars and blends into the harmony of the rest of her classmates' as they prepare. Seeing her now, it is not easy to imagine the hopelessness she fell into after losing both of her parents to the HIV virus as a young child. Shirah was four years old when she lost both of them, and was left to live with only her elder sister of twelve at the time. Six years later, her elder sister got married and Shirah went to live with her uncle near the Nyaka School.

Being a student at Nyaka has helped her regain her sense of childhood. She has made many friends, and adds, excitedly, that she receives breakfast and lunch every day. She enjoys all her classes and is a dedicated student with plans to become an English teacher in the future. She remembers last year's trip to Kampala for the benefit dinner, where she was able to see Parliament, the source of the Nile, the Entebbe airport, and the zoo, and hopes this year's adventure to the city will be just as eventful.

Justine's Story
Background: Nyaka staff, Chris Singer met Justine while at a community soccer game in the village. He noticed a group of children pointing and laughing at something. It turned out that the group was laughing at Justine's disfigurement.

Justine has scars over 90% of her body from being burned. Her face was burned horribly and as a result, she is the object of ridicule and prejudice. With her situation, Chris knew that her life would be very difficult because of prejudice in society over physical impairments.

Chris took a picture of Justine to take back to Nyaka hoping that the picture could be used to find her again and find her family. Jackson's sister, Christine, found Justine and her family. Last term, Justine began school at Nyaka!

Her story: Justine is the only girl in a family of six children. Justine suffered her injury from a small paraffin lamp commonly used in the village. Justine's mother sent her to take it inside the house and the fire from the lamp caught her clothes.

Justine lives with her parents about 2 km. from Nyaka. Her favorite subject is English and she enjoys being in school at Nyaka. She is 10 years old. Below is a picture of Justine in her Nyaka uniform. Chris is excited to get reunited with Justine when he visits in December. He is hoping that funds can be raised to bring Justine to the U.S. for plastic surgery on her face.

Emmanuel's Story
Emmanuel is a pupil at Nyaka and he is in primary five. He entered Nyaka School in 2004. Emmanuel is a double orphans as both his mother and father dies of AIDS when he was still young. He says he would not even recognize them if he were to see pictures of them today.

Emmanuel says he is very proud to be at Nyaka because he is getting free education plus uniform, books, shoes, and meals. He says that before he had no hopes of joining a school like other children but is so happy today to be at Nyaka. Emmanuel has hopes of studying hard and becoming a dentist.

Emmanuel is staying with a host family very near to Nyaka. This is the fourth family he has stayed with since coming to Nyaka. When he first came to Nyaka, Emmanuel was staying with his grandmother. However, she died and then he had to go live who a relative who was very far from Nyaka. While there, it was difficult to make it to Nyaka School. With his third family, Emmanuel was chased away for no reason. Emmanuel is worried that if he is chased away again from where he is staying now, he does not have anywhere else to go.

Emmanuel would like to thank the Nyaka Director for starting the school and would like to thank all the donors and teachers as well. He is proud that he has never been below 4th position in school since he started at Nyaka.

Emmanuel gives talks about HIV Prevention. Listen to one here

Rebecca's Story
Rebecca is 13 years old and in Primary Six. She began school at Nyaka during the second term of 2005. Before she was at Nyaka, she was not in school due to the inability to pay fees.

Both of Rebecca's parents dies when she was very young. She only has seen photos of her parents.

Rebecca used to have to walk 8 km. to and from school each day. Now, She lives with Teacher Carol during the week.

Rebecca says she is very pleased with Nyaka and happy there because she gets everything from school (uniform, shoes, sweater, food, books, pens) and she has no worry of being kicked out for not paying fees. She enjoys her teachers and prays that God will help her to study so one day she can be a coordinator of Nyaka or any other school helping orphans.

Rebecca would like to thank the Nyaka director, coordinators, and all other people who work at the school for helping her very much.

Pictures from Nicolas
Nicolas is 14 years old and lives on his own. Here are two of his pictures:


"Picture of Nyaka"


"Ugandan Football Player"

Letter from Bartholomew
Dear Friends in United States of America,
How are you and how are your lives? The reason why I have written this letter to you is just to greet you. I have been seeing all people in USA and they are very good and men are handsome and girls are beautiful. I think now America is a good place. Last night I dreamed about USA and that I am there. When I grow up and complete my studies, I will have a job there, thank you very much. The American people have much love for Nyaka School we love them because they love us. I will be a journalist after my studies. I am 13 years old and I am in Primary Five.

Sincerely,
Bartholomew

Story from Barekye Onesmus
Barekye is 15 years old and in Primary Seven at Nyaka AIDS Orphans School. Barekye came to Nyaka in 2003. Like others at Nyaka, he is a double orphan due to his parents death from AIDS. He lives with his aunt and her four children who are all in secondary school.

Barekye says that his aunt is not kind to him and that he does too much work compared to his aunt's children. He says that some of his basic needs are not provided to him like the other children in the home. This is difficult for Barekye and he is very unhappy with the situation. It does encourage him to work very hard at school so that he can help himself in the future.

Barekye is a very determined student and wants to attend university to become a doctor. He likes Nyaka School because of the good and loving teachers. School provides students with free lunch, breakfast, shoes, and scholastic materials. Above all, Bareke is happy to be provided with free education.

Barekye would like to thank all of the donors, directors, and other people who encourage him and give him support in his studies. "May God bless you all." He promises to work hard and make everyone proud of him.