By Herbert Yiki

For the pupils of Mother Theresa Preparatory Primary School, a visit to Gift of Love Slovak Catholic Caritas Uganda was more than an opportunity to meet children living in difficult circumstances. It was a practical lesson in compassion, sharing and the responsibility to care for people who need support.

The pupils, accompanied by their teachers and school administrators, visited the charitable organization, which provides care and support to disadvantaged and vulnerable children.

The visit brought together staff from both institutions, community members and local leaders in a gathering that celebrated Christian values of love, charity and solidarity while drawing attention to the needs of vulnerable children.

Hon. Anyanzo John Ambayo, the LCV Chairperson of Adjumani District and Guest of Honor, commended the school for nurturing compassion among young learners, describing such initiatives as important in shaping responsible and caring members of society.

The school administration said the visit was intended to help pupils understand the importance of sharing with others and extending kindness to children facing difficult circumstances.

Asiku James, Educationist, also praised Gift of Love Slovak Catholic Caritas Uganda for its commitment to caring for disadvantaged children, noting that the centre was making a difference in their lives through love, support and care.

He challenged Adjumani District leadership to increase publicity about the facility so that more people could learn about its services and support its work.

His appeal highlighted the importance of community awareness in connecting vulnerable children with organizations and services that can improve their wellbeing.

A call for collective responsibility.

Catherine Riria, co-founder of Caritas Slovak Catholic Uganda – GOLD, called for stronger partnerships in addressing HIV/AIDS and supporting children experiencing hardship.

She made the appeal during the visit, emphasizing the need for collective efforts to ensure that vulnerable children are not left without the care and support they need.

Her message pointed to the broader social challenges affecting children and the importance of collaboration among charitable organizations, government institutions, communities and other development partners.

For organizations working with disadvantaged children, sustained support is essential to maintaining care services and creating opportunities for children to develop their potential.

Beyond care: Preparing children for the future.

In his remarks, Anyanzo acknowledged the work being done by Gift of Love Slovak Catholic Caritas Uganda and pledged support for the facility.

He also highlighted the importance of practical skills development, linking the work of the centre to the ATMS development agenda, which stands for Agro-industry, Tourism, Minerals, and Science, Technology and Innovation.

Anyanzo referred to a recent engagement in Gulu where district leaders were addressed by the Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation on the importance of promoting practical skills as a foundation for development.

He emphasized the relevance of equipping learners with skills that can prepare them for productive and self-reliant futures.

The emphasis on practical skills adds another dimension to the work of organizations supporting vulnerable children: beyond providing immediate care, there is a need to create pathways through which children can acquire knowledge, develop abilities and participate meaningfully in society.

Turning compassion into sustained support.

The visit by Mother Theresa Preparatory Primary School offered an opportunity to demonstrate that supporting vulnerable children is a shared responsibility that extends beyond charitable organizations.

While the pupils brought a message of love and solidarity, the calls from community members and educationists highlighted the need for more sustained institutional and public support for facilities such as Gift of Love.

Improved publicity, stronger partnerships, community involvement and investment in practical skills development could help expand the opportunities available to children under the center’s care.

For the visiting pupils, the experience offered a lesson that cannot always be taught within classroom walls: that the wellbeing of others matters and that even small acts of kindness can contribute to a more caring society.

Ultimately, the challenge is to ensure that the spirit of giving demonstrated during the visit does not end with the event, but grows into sustained support that gives vulnerable children greater opportunities to live with dignity, develop their abilities and build independent futures.

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