Natulei’s Story

Natulei’s younger years had been very difficult and filled with change and uncertainty. Her mother had struggled with drugs and alcohol and left Natulei and her brother Lomilo in the care of their father. Natulei’s grandmother recounts that one day, their mother was arrested  and taken to jail. She did not have any contact with Natulei or her brother Lomilo between 2011 and 2019. Shortly after their mother left, Natulei’s father passed away, cause unknown.

Natulei’s grandmother took the two children in and she did the best she could but in her old age, could not obtain employment. All she could do was look for food in the rubbish bins of Jinja town. Before joining the PFP family, Natulei and her brother Lomilo would try to help their grandmother by going to town each day to beg for help. They would also help their older sister who worked in a bar by serving, cleaning and washing dishes. When they weren’t working at the bar, begging on the streets or digging in the rubbish pits, they would collect firewood and dig in gardens for money. Neither Natulei or her brother Lomilo had ever had the luxury of attending school. Food insecurity was a big challenge and they would often go without any food in an entire day.

In 2011, Natulei and Lomilo both were rescued and brought to live at The Peace for Paul Foundation’s Family home where they are able to attend school and just focus on bing children. Today, Natulei and Lomilo are happy, healthy and studying hard in school. Natulei loves dancing and playing with her friends. She is usually top of her class and has big hopes for her future.  In 2019, Peace for Paul’s social worker located Natulei’s mother in Northern Uganda. During school holidays, she now has the chance to spend time rebuilding the relationship with her mom in a controlled and safe environment. Her grandmother also loves to come and visit the children at the PFP family homes.