My name is Jane-Rose and I was born in Kiyana village in Uganda’s Luweero district in a family of four children. Unfortunately, when I turned 1 year old, I lost my dad to HIV/AIDS scourge. This was the time when my life started to turn down. When my relatives saw that my mom’s husband is dead, they connived and chased her away from the house where we were staying. We then resorted to staying in the little kitchen that was attached to the house but sadly my mom was tortured and eventually we moved away to save our lives. With little hope left, my mom was forced to get married again to another man who was also a peasant with hope of getting some support so that I could live.According to my mom, we moved to another distant village known as Kisooba and rented a small house for survival with the help of my step dad. Life became harder when my step dad failed to pay the rent and sadly we were evacuated by the landlord. Several months after staying with our aunt, my mom gathered some little resources with the help of our neighbors and she rented a one bedroom house in Kiyana Village where my mom started subsistence farming. At this time, I had turned 4 years old ready to start school. With the small earnings she yielded from growing beans and maize, my mom sent me to school where I started kindergarten level. Unfortunately, she started to struggle with her illnesses and could not take care of me anymore until I was brought to Bitone Center for rehabilitation and educational programs.Currently, I have developed my talent in performing Uganda Traditional dances and singing. I have also acquired skills in preparing basic meals and designing art crafts.  Also, I have developed a strong love of family and friendship with my colleagues at the center. My future dream is to become a successful musician. I also have a strong desire to help the suffering children in families. Jane-Rose’s mom is still alive but infected with HIV/AIDS.”

I was born on Christmas eve. With little love from my dad, my mom struggled to save my life before she lost hers to HIV/AIDS. At this stage, I had just turned 4 years. Left alone with my young brother, my dad forced me to dig, cook, and fetch water from the water source 4 kilometers away from our miserable house. My dad also made me take care of the marijuana in his garden. When I refused to do any of these things for him, he punished me and beat me.After four years of living with my dad, I taken away by my cousin sister in 2006. By that time, I had dropped out of school due to lack of school fees and other related needs. While staying at my cousin’s house, distant male cousins attempted to rape me. By this time, I was 8 years old. After my cousin realized what was happening, she sent me to live with a family friend. While at the family friend’s house, the husband in the household attempted to rape me.In 2007, Bitone learned about her story and brought her to Bitone. I am receiving rehabilitation at Bitone Center and am gradually getting empowered. I have been able to develop my talent in dance and other values of self respect, self confidence, leadership and art/craft designing. Since last year, I have established myself as a master of poet and speech.In future, I want to become a medical doctor, an entertainer and a volunteer in children’s centers. My hobbies and interest include traveling, living in company of fellow kids, watching cartoons, swimming, singing and dancing. Currently, I am the youngest child at the center.”

I was born on the 24th of December 1993 in Pader village in Nebbi district of Northern Uganda. I am the 4th born in a family of 8 children. Due to the political instabilities caused in this region by the rebels of ‘His Lord’s Resistance Army’ Joseph Kony, my parents were separated before they both died. Without parents, I moved to my cousin’s home in a distant village but my life got more challenging so I had to drop out of school.I eventually ran away from my cousin’s home and went to live at my older sister’s home. After being there for a year I left due to limited resources. During that time in 2005, I joined Bitone center for education and talent development.I am benefiting from the rehabilitation and empowerment programs Bitone offers. I hope to join senior five at Kawempe Royal College School. I want to become a professional Medical Doctor (Dentist) so that I can help those suffering from various diseases. I also want to be an Advocate for peace and harmony in the whole world. I would to contribute to the fight for peace, development and protection of Human Rights across the world. I am passionate about sharing my skills and talent with others worldwide.”

My name is Kayongo Roscoe. I am 16 years old. My mother is Hame and my father Sammy. They live in Luwero District where I grew up. When I was young I was not studying because my parents are very poor. They decided to take me to government school but I was not studying very well. When I reached Primary 4 I joined the school choir and was doing very well in all items. One day we had music competitions between 6 schools and we won, the judge appreciated very much and after the competition he came to me and asked me my age because I was small and he could not believe I could dance so well. His name was Hassan. When I was sitting home he came to speak to my parents as told them he wanted to look after me. I was really excited and my parents decided for me to go. When I reached where Hassan stays I found a man named Branco and some children who were disadvantaged but very talented. I joined the group and it was called Bitone Children’s Center. Here I learn many things like music, care, education, and discipline. Thank you Branco and Hassan.”

My name is Elizabeth and I am 16 years old. Before I came to Bitone I was deep in the village staying with my mother. My father died when I was a baby of three. I grew up in a tough situation to the extent that I missed the paternal love of my dad and some many years without schooling. Soon a clan member of ours conquered our property and our situation became black where we could not see our future. Bitone made me forget my sour times and tears. I came to Bitone become I was an orphan with a talent for singing. Bitone has promoted my talents, and I will payback such privileges and I promise to be a good musician in the future, if not a trainer. As I go on I want to study human rights so that I deal with those who have bad behaviors, those especially who are mistreating the children because I am feeling sorry of my country. May god bless you.”

My name is Sseguya Steven. I am a member of Bitone. I was living with my mother and she had no money for school fees, so I used to sit home counting birds. Then two gentlemen came to our village looking for talented children. Since I knew how to drum I was chosen and brought to Bitone. Now I am living a positive life and I get every basic need as a child. I want to thank the management of Bitone for giving me such great love as a child. Now I am doing well in class and interested in learning new skills in music, computer, English vocabularies, and I also have friend from every part of the world and like to perform with international musicians.”