I had my first contact with Help One Child Thrive’s main woman, Veronica, at the end of January 2021. I had seen a post of a child my friend sponsors and I asked for a contact. Little did I know that this would be the start of a beautiful journey.
Let me start by saying that Veronica was extremely patient with my fifty million questions. She explained everything to me, showed me whatever I asked for to prove the legitimacy of HOCT, and left no stone unturned.
My first child was Nankwanga Rauzati, who had just turned 4 years old. I began by sending money for her monthly food until she started school, at which point I added a bit more to her budget.
About 6 months later, another angel, Lilian Nabirye, came into my life. A 16-year old princess. No sooner had I seen her picture on the HOCT wall did I contact Veronica and offer to sponsor her too. It’s tough for the older kids, and I didn’t want her to suffer just for not being a small child.
Two years go by and my third princess, Nafisha, enters my life. Her sponsor had abandoned her, something that happens way too often, and I decided to save her.
By then Lilian had turned 18 and was thinking about her next steps. I got one final phone call from her and as much as it pained me, I had to say goodbye.
I now care for Nankwanga and Nafisha, two beautiful angels who I have the pleasure of seeing grow and progress in their lives.
They don’t always smile (I don’t think I’ve ever seen either of them smile, actually), and they don’t call every month, but I trust that Veronica and Mugoya are doing everything they can to make sure they and the other children don’t lack anything. After all, sponsoring a child is a kind act from the heart and should not come with any expectations other than the children receiving their food and education.
Over the years I’ve been able to send packages and see them enjoy their birthday parties with presents and cakes. Sponsoring a child is about knowing that you’re taking care of someone. It isn’t about phone calls, it isn’t about perfect grades, it’s about knowing that the child has a chance to live, a chance to be a part of society, a chance to have a proper childhood, and most importantly, a chance to be alive.
I try to bring in as many people as possible because HOCT is a legit EU-registered NGO that has saved the lives of hundreds of children. They built a medical centre a few years back and are now building a school.
These children lack what we take for granted: food, shelter, medical assistance, and education. A small contribution every month gives them all of these.
Claire Said
Word Guru, CEO, Founder
Alpha Content
Help One Child Thrive 