Beath's Story

The day I arrived at the Mpora Rural Family Home, I met this lovely child, Beath Kurungi, whose photograph is above. She was 7 years old and had been deaf and mute since the age of 14 months following an illness. She lived with her aunt's family having lost her father in 1999 and as her mother was gravely ill her future prospects were looking pretty bleak. Her aunt had walked her down to the MRFH compound in her best dress from their village high up in the Ruwenzori Mountains as they had heard of Morence and his generosity.

The family had found a special needs school (harder to find in Uganda than in Europe I'd say) prepared to take her on and work with her to develop skills that would help her function in society and eventually earn a living. But the £60 needed for a year's tuition, a mattress and a school uniform was absolutely beyond them. My Western guilt at this point was pretty crushing as you can imagine. More than a few Londoners spend more than this on a Saturday night out.

Beath had the most winning smile and I was reliably informed liked to play netball and look after babies. On this occasion, Morence was in a position to help. But there are more children like her looking for a better future.