Isiko’s Story

Isiko is one of four children who lives with his mother in Mbiko, Uganda. Isiko was born healthy, but when he was 18 months old, he developed what seemed to be malaria, but he just kept getting worse. The family does not know what disease he actually acquired but it left him mentally challenged and with epilepsy to this day.   His father died in Eastern Uganda when Isiko was very young. Unfortunately, after the death of the father, their family endured abuse and harassment from the father’s relatives. The family moved to Buikwe District in search of a better life and Isiko’s mother did her best, but is not educated and had little in the way of job prospects.  She worked by digging, washing clothes and performing other domestic tasks in order to earn a living. She was able to save enough to start a small business selling silver fish, but was robbed which left her business bankrupt. Unable to pay the rent their landlord threatened eviction so she left for another town to try to find work. The children were left in the hands of the eldest brother, who is 16 years old, while she was gone for two months.  During her absence, they often went without food and the rent was still not being paid. In 2019, the Buikwe probation officer forwarded the case to PFP and we stepped in to offer support.  The rent back-pay was cleared and the children are being offered the opportunity to attend school.  The mother has been reunited with her children and they are now living together again. PFP will work with the her to get her business up and running again so she can support her children.

Now a part of the PFP Juniors program, Isiko attends a highly ranked primary school and has all of his medical needs looked after. While PFP supports him with education and medical expenses, Isiko continues to live with his mother and siblings, who he loves very much. His mother works hand in hand with PFP and is proud to play a role in supporting Isiko in being able to attend school regularly.