Yunisu's family home

On Saturday afternoon a group of 5 of us travelled to visit Yunusu at his home in Msenge. The journey took about 30 minutes along very rough and potholed dirt tracks, through villages with very poor, small homes. The closer to Msenge we got, some, like Yunusu's, were surrounded by small plots of land which provides their food. This is very much a subsistence lifestyle. When we arrived at the home we found a very basic mud structure with a couple of rooms and a kitchen shelter attached at the back. Next door was a small brick built house which is where Yunusu sleeps. The family were all there to greet us, 10 in all living in the two buildings including Yunusu's parents, sister, her 2 children and 3 cousins. They were waiting in the garden surrounded by lush vegetation, (avocado, coffee, pawpaw and much more) and inhabited by a variety of chickens and turkeys. If they don't produce it, they can't eat it. 

The overwhelming sensation was that of a close family with great love for each other. Yunusu is a truly amazing man. Life has thrown many significant challenges at him, but he has faced them with real strength of character and such a positive attitude. He is determined to provide for his family and to bring them out of poverty. 

Many in the UK in his situation would be heavily reliant on the welfare state, family and friends. However this is Uganda. If Yunusu doesn't help himself there is no national programme of support. 

They love he has for his family is sacrificial and he places their needs above his own. He suffers but does not complain. He works very hard and has plans to increase his income in various ways to provide a better life for those he loves. Yunusu's parents are now quite elderly but mumma got up and did a welcome dance for us. She obviously loves and respects UgandAid and is thankful for all that has been done to support her son. 

We were invited to sit on the benches while they sat on the floor. Nothing was too much for them. Once again it was humbling to spend time with people, who by western standards have nothing, yet value the visit of a group of white people so highly.

This short visit had  a significant impact on all of us. I would challenge anyone to spend even a short amount of time with the most vulnerable people in this country and not come way with a changed perspective on the equality of life in this world.