The Uganda-Congo border conflicts ended in 2023 with new border demarcation agreements. Ronald and his six brothers, sisters and mother were caught literally in the middle. Their house had been in Uganda, but after the agreement, it was in Congo.  They could have become Congolese citizens, but the mother was very uncomfortable with that solution. They lost their home.

The only person who agreed to help them was a man who owns a banana plantation and keeps a large goat herd. He built a mud and wattle house for them in the middle of his plantation. He told them they could live there to be his goat herders and to take care of his vegetable gardens. For that he gives them food (probably the cheapest) and this “accommodation”. That’s all. None of the children had ever been in school.  

After visiting the family last year and seeing how dire the situation is, we gave Ronald a place at school. Eight years old, he could not read or write. He was put into the first year of nursery school when he arrived, mostly made up of four and five year-old children. We will do the best we can for as long as we can to help him. It will surely be better than what the rich plantation owner offered. If he finds a sponsor, he will board at school.

At least one of the children in this family may escape the nightmare.