Couple rescue disabled boy found in shack

TWO Irish volunteers who rescued a severely disabled young boy from certain death are now sponsoring him to live at a home for children with special needs in Kampala, Uganda’s capital.

Róisín Kinsella, 30, and her boyfriend, Conor Buckley, 29, were part of a nine-strong group who travelled to the poverty-stricken country in July to help at the Kamunzinda Children’s Village, a centre for children in care.

“There is a real tradition of putting children into care in this country,” explained Róisín, whose mother supports a ‘UgaIrish’ sustainable farm project for the children.

“It is cheaper for a family to pay for their child to be in a place like this than to stay at home — there are a lot of children in care here. It seems strange, but often a family can’t cope and so send their children to an institution. Here they are fed well and educated.”

One day, while bringing some provisions to people living in the bush, Róisín and Conor met an old man living alone.

“He was delighted with the small gifts we gave him, but he seemed agitated about something and indicated for Conor to follow him.”

He led them to a locked door at a tumbledown shack, where inside they found a severely traumatised young boy.

“It was the saddest thing I have ever seen in my life. There was this young boy sitting on the filthy earth floor. He was physically and mentally disabled and chewing on a piece of dirty grey blanket.”

Although he only looks about four or five years old, the boy — Ddembe — is ten years old. He had open wounds on his hands and feet and could not walk or talk.

“The old man explained that the boy’s mother had locked him in without food or water. He didn’t know how long she was gone or when she would be back. We felt we had to do something to help,” said Róisín, who is from Carlow.

After further investigation, the couple discovered that Ddembe’s mother was not physically, mentally or financially capable of taking care of him.

“She was happy for him to go to a school for children with special needs, where he will receive the food, care and attention he needs.”

Less than two weeks after they found Ddembe, he was taken by his mother to a special needs school in Kampala.

“We have set up a fund for Ddembe to go towards his school fees, his clothes, transport and other needs,” said Róisín.

“He needs physiotherapy and speech therapy.

“We are trying to raise funds to pay for a full-time physiotherapist and speech therapist to help Ddembe, and the other 70 children at his school.

It costs €80 per month to pay for Ddembe’s full board and tuition at school.

“We have paid for the first three months but any help anyone can give, whether it is once or on a regular ongoing basis is very much appreciated. Every euro goes a long way in Uganda.”

If you would like to deposit funds in the Ddembe account the details are: SC 985038; Account number: 10126736, Ddembe Fund at Ulster Bank, Donnybrook, Dublin 4.

Or post a cheque to The Ddembe Fund C/O Róisín Kinsella and Conor Buckley, 170 Santry Close, Santry, Dublin 9.