Akiteng Betty: A Story of Strength and Hope

On January 17, 2025, we visited Masese to check on one of our beneficiaries, 13-year-old Akiteng Betty, and understand her living situation. What we found was a heartbreaking story of resilience in the face of adversity.

Betty (Left) and The well - Wisher (Right)

A Troubled Past

Betty and her younger brother once lived with their maternal aunt, but instead of offering them a safe and loving home, the aunt mistreated them. She forced them to go out on the streets daily to scavenge for food and beg for money to pay rent.

The situation grew even more unbearable when the aunt’s son attempted to harm Betty. Despite her efforts to report the abuse, her cries for help were ignored. Instead of protecting her, the aunt told Betty and her brother to leave the house. Fearing for their safety, the two children left and began living on the streets.

Betty and Her Young Brother

Life on the Streets

On the streets, Betty and her brother have struggled to survive. Betty collects coal, while her brother begs for money from passersby. Their lives are difficult and unsafe, filled with uncertainty and vulnerability.

A Kind-Hearted Well-Wisher

Amid their struggles, a young woman named Miss Nakato Joan has stepped in to help. At just 17 years old, Joan is a single mother working in a factory to support her own child. Despite her limited resources, she has offered Betty and her brother a place to stay. Joan’s generosity and compassion are extraordinary, but her situation is not sustainable.

The Way Forward

Betty and her brother deserve a chance to rebuild their lives and escape the cycle of poverty and hardship. We believe the following steps will help them:

1. Education Support: Enroll Betty and her brother in an education program to give them the opportunity to learn, grow, and create a brighter future.

2. Basic Needs Assistance: Provide financial and material support to ensure their immediate safety and well-being.

Betty with one of our Social Workers

A Call to Action

Betty’s story is a powerful reminder of the challenges faced by vulnerable children and the impact of kindness and support. Together, we can help Betty and her brother find hope, stability, and the chance to live their dreams.

Let’s come together to change their story.