An Orphan Reaches Out to Help Others
Fred Ssewamala. Photo courtesy of Columbia University.
Columbia University associate social work and international professor Fred Ssewamala was orphaned at age 12 in the civil wars in Uganda.
He witnessed the murder of his parents, eldest brother, sister and niece.
Despite the trauma he experienced Ssewamala is trying to help other orphans in Uganda, this article on allAfrica.com said.
Under a program Ssewamala created, family members and guardians opened bank accounts for 1,000 orphans. The SUUBI program, which Ssewamala piloted in 2005, matches funds in the accounts by a ratio of 2 to 1.
So a $20 contribution is matched by $40.
The children can use the money to pay for high school or higher education, vocational training or to start a business.
The name of the program is fitting. SUUBU means hope in the Lugandan language. Cheers to allAfrica.com for covering Ssewamala’s great work.
Social workers offer a lot to the global culture. To learn more visit the National Association of Social Workers’ International Social Work website by clicking here. You can also get to know more about Sswemala and his work by clicking here to read a Columbia University article about him.
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This article is wonderful and so encouraging. I am so thrilled to see this man doing such great things to help others who are in such great need. I work for a nonprofit in Africa that helps to provide education for children who would otherwise not have this opportunity and I have seen great things happening in this country. I believe in the future of Africa and know that they can have a great future if people reach out to do something and to help like this man and so many others.
nice help