Mary Namugayi and Deo Kisitu

Mary Namugayi and Deo Kisitu

Mary Namugayi, 12, is a sister to Deo Kisitu, 10, and they both lost their father, Paul Kigozi, to HIV/AIDS in 2006. Since then, Deo and Mary have stayed with a seemingly healthy looking mum, Gloria, who is often disturbed by frequent Malaria, a sign that perhaps she is also a victim of HIV/AIDS.  As a result their mum is ever weak and hence does limited work to support her three children. Sometimes Deo and Mary don’t go to school due to lack of school fees and scholastic materials. Lack of beddings, proper clothing and poor housing are the key problems for Deo and Mary at the moment.

Mary is in primary seven (P.7) whereas her brother, Deo, is in primary four (P.4) at Mukono Boarding Primary school. Deo’s ambition is to become an engineer whereas Mary’s aspiration is to become a medical doctor, but the challenge is how to get there. In his application letter for sponsorship to FINIDP Deo said: “I face a problem of being sent back home for fees and when I’m sent home I always miss a lot and find it hard to catch up.” Mary said: “we have no garden so we buy food as well.” The family rents a small single room for accommodation at Kitete village and that is a burden as well.