Help for a smile

Für Kinder in Afrika

Our Children and Youth

Sharon 

Sharon is 13 years old and is in 4th grade. Her father is currently in Malukhu Prison in Mbale, and there is almost no information regarding her mother’s whereabouts. Sharon was brought by Irene from her grandfather’s home, as he was struggling to care for her. Sharon loves painting and crafting, and she truly enjoys going to school.

Allan 

Sharon’s brother, Allan, is 9 years old and is in 2nd grade. He is happy to be with his sister. Allan enjoys playing with his friends and is a diligent helper with household chores. His favorite thing to do, however, is play soccer.

Anisha 

Anisha is 13 years old and is in 5th grade. Her mother is incarcerated, and her father, who is in a polygamous marriage, does not provide a stable home or pay her school fees. Consequently, Anisha lived with her grandmother in a remote village for a time. She loves playing netball and swimming. Anisha enjoys school and shares a love for painting and crafting with Sharon.

Favour

Favour is 15 years old, in 9th grade, and loves spending time with her friends. She is brave and enjoys discovering new things. Favour is among the top of her class and aspires to become an engineer. Irene found Favour in a village living with an uncle. Her father is in prison, and there is no contact with her mother.

 

Lawrence 
Lawrence is 12 years old and is in 4th grade. He lives with Irene alongside his brothers, Junior and Alex. In his free time, he is a passionate soccer player, enjoys swimming, and spends a lot of time with his friends.

Luke 

Luke is 23 years old and is very proud to have successfully completed school and his vocational training—an opportunity not available to every child in Uganda. Luke holds a degree in Computer Science. He currently works as a computer technician for a soccer club and also works in a shop. Having completed his training, Luke is now among the young adults—alongside Paddy, Joseph, and Isaiah—who live independently and no longer require support from the association. In his free time, he plays soccer. His mother has been in prison for many years.

 

Phiona

Phiona is 20 years old and completed 11th grade last year. She comes from Arua, a city in northwestern Uganda. Her mother is in prison, and her father has passed away. Phiona has two siblings, though we unfortunately do not know their whereabouts. Before coming to Irene, Phiona lived in a slum and begged for food. Irene took Phiona in and played a major role in ensuring Phiona could experience a more carefree childhood and attend school. Phiona wants to become an educator and is currently completing a two-year certificate course in Early Childhood Development.

Paddy 

Paddy is 25 years old and successfully finished school alongside Luke, Joshua, and Isaiah. Paddy has diverse interests; he is a gifted artist and eager to learn and try new things. His mother is in prison, and his father is ill. After being supported by Help for a Smile e.V. since 2013, he earned a degree in Civil Engineering and Construction in 2024. He currently works as a farmer and a cook, earns his own money, and has moved into his first private room. This is a wonderful development. We remain in regular contact with Paddy, and he enjoys sharing updates on his projects.

 

Joseph (Gift)

Joseph is 24 years old and has successfully graduated from school—something that makes him very happy! His mother was murdered, and his father left the family. He has half-siblings. Joseph loves having friends all around the globe. He has a degree in Journalism and aspires to be a TV and radio presenter. Currently, Joseph works as a teacher and part-time at a radio station in Kampala, where he lives independently. Joseph is very dedicated, and we are so glad we could accompany him on his journey.

 

Amon und Ian

Amon, 18, is in 11th grade and hopes to become a mechanical engineer. Amon’s brother also lives with Irene. Ian, 20, successfully completed 11th grade. Education is very important to Ian; he wants to become an engineer and is attending a two-year certificate course in Electrical Engineering. Thanks to the support of our members, the brothers are well cared for by Irene and attend school. Previously, the children lived with their grandparents, who did not have enough money for school fees. Their mother is in prison; she was accused of murdering their father, but Irene is convinced of her innocence. The mother is deeply grateful that her children are doing so well.

 

Beatrice und Dorkas (Rashida) 

Beatrice, 20, and Dorkas, 21, are both attending a training course in Kampala to learn hairdressing and cosmetics. Beatrice comes from Masaka, west of Kampala, and is the eldest of five children. Her mother was unable to afford school and training fees. Irene has cared for Beatrice since 2013, and Beatrice is delighted to be able to attend school. Dorkas comes from Buikwe, located between Kampala and Jinja. Dorkas has three siblings and is the only one able to attend school. Dorkas’s mother was imprisoned several times. Irene has cared for Dorkas since 2014, and she excels in school. Dorkas has a son who lives with his grandparents so that she can complete her training.

 

Esther 

Esther is 22 years old and is in 11th grade. Before coming to Irene, Esther was only able to attend school through 4th grade because her parents could not afford the fees. Her father earned so little that there was not enough food for the family of four children. Consequently, Esther regularly visited Irene for a warm meal. After her father lost his job, the family left Mbale (presumably for Kenya) but left Esther behind. Esther is very hardworking and ambitious. With the support of Help for a Smile e.V., she is back in school and has found a home with Irene. Access to education is the most important aspect of Esther’s life; we are very proud that she serves as Head Girl (school speaker).

 

Wilson

Wilson is 20 years old and in 11th grade. His father is serving a life sentence in prison. Wilson comes from a family of seven children in a remote village in central Uganda. After his mother’s death and his father’s imprisonment, there was no one left to care for the family. Despite the difficult conditions Wilson has faced, he does well in school, loves soccer, and gets along very well with the other children. His three younger brothers, including Junior and Alex, have also been with Irene since 2019.

 

Patrick 

Patrick is 17 years old, in 9th grade, and comes from a family of two children. Patrick’s mother was imprisoned for a violent crime. His father left the family, and his current location is unknown. Patrick and his brother Derrick lived with their grandmother in a remote village in western Uganda. The grandparents could not afford food or school fees. Under the care of Irene and Dickson, the brothers are well-provided for, can attend school, and will have a better future. Patrick is a hard worker in school, enjoys swimming, and is interested in agriculture.

 

Derrick 

Derrick is 19 years old, in 11th grade, and is Patrick’s brother. Derrick is diligent and performs very well in school. He loves swimming and soccer and enjoys watching movies. Learning is very important to Derrick, and he wants to become a doctor. Eunice, Patrick and Derrick’s mother, was released from prison in 2020 and has lived with Irene since then, providing great support in caring for the children.

 

Junior Prince

Junior is 16 years old and in 8th grade. His father is serving a life sentence at Luzira Prison. His mother has passed away, and his father is accused of being involved in her death. Junior is the fifth of seven children and comes from a remote village in central Uganda. Following the mother’s death and the father’s imprisonment, the younger siblings stayed with their grandparents, where they were mistreated. They did not attend school, working instead in the fields or herding animals. After Irene and Dickson saw these conditions, they decided to take the children in so they could live in safety and attend school. Junior enjoys playing soccer and loves being with Irene.

 

Alex 

Alex is 14 years old and in 6th grade. Like his brother Junior, he has lived through a difficult time. He is happy to now live with Irene, attend school, and play soccer or swim freely with the other children.

 

Isaiah 

Isaiah, 24, is the youngest of eight children. He successfully completed school and began training as a nurse, but he now works as a teacher and supports his mother. Isaiah’s mother was in prison for many years and was released in 2022.