Hope in Action: Walking with Mukisa Joshua and His Family

At Jinja Connection, our commitment to the children we serve goes far beyond the classroom walls. We believe that to truly support a child's education, we must also stand with the family that supports them. A recent series of home and school visits conducted on June 16, 2026, beautifully illustrates why this holistic approach is so vital.

Standing with Family in Times of Need

Our journey began with a phone call that brought concerning news: Mukisa Joshua’s grandmother was battling a severe illness, and the family was facing a critical shortage of food. Understanding that a hungry or worried child cannot easily focus on learning, our team immediately stepped in to check on the family's well-being and deliver essential food support.

During our home visit, we found Joshua’s grandmother just returning from the hospital after receiving medical treatment. Despite her own physical struggles, her face lit up when speaking about her grandson. She shared with us that Joshua has truly reformed and developed a deep love for his studies.

Joshua (On the right) with Jinja Connection Social Worker and the Grandmother

However, the family faces steep hurdles. Joshua’s parents have not been able to provide the necessary support or responsibility required to help him thrive. In the face of these challenges, his grandmother expressed immense gratitude for the lifeline Jinja Connection has provided—both in keeping Joshua in school and ensuring the family has food on the table.

Ensuring a Bright Future at School

Following our time at his home, we visited Joshua at Hope kids Primary school, where he is currently enrolled.

Joshua on the left with Rebecca - Jinja Connection Social Worker while at school

As captured in the accompanying photograph, our school visits are a time of celebration, accountability, and reassurance. The primary goals for our visit were to ensure Joshua has everything he needs to succeed this season:

• Securing His Education: We officially cleared his second-term school fees and provided him with necessary school learning materials.

• Monitoring Progress: We sat down with his educators to review his academic performance and track his attendance, ensuring he remains on the bright path he has chosen.

Seeing Joshua standing proudly in his school uniform is a powerful reminder of why we do what we do. It takes a village to raise a child, and when structural family support falls short, community stepping in makes all the difference.

We are incredibly proud of Joshua's transformation and determination, and we remain dedicated to walking alongside him and his grandmother every step of the way.

Want to help us support more students like Joshua? Consider partnering with Jinja Connection today.