Message from the National Coordinator
2011 marked 19 years since Child Restoration Outreach (CRO) begun supporting children on the streets and their families. It was a special year because CRO received a national award for having the best program for street children. Our aim was to get children off the streets, rehabilitate them, and provide basic and if possible higher education or vocational skills.
CRO had its four centers in Mbale, Jinja, Masaka and Lira open to assist children. The children came in daily to wash themselves, eat food, receive counsel, play, learn and take a rest. The dream of most children was to be able to attend school. Whenever
possible children were reunited with members of their families.
Sadly the number of children on the streets increased day by day due to a number of factors such as increased domestic violence, landslides which displaced people in the Mbale region, HIV/AIDS orphans, and some children who are under great pressure to work and earn a living to support their families and due to peer pressure.
Throughout the year, CRO was able to support 2910 (1743 male and 1167 female) children through its four centers. In the year CRO worked with the whole family and not just children. The families were empowered with knowledge and skills to look after their own physical needs before they could participate in the development of their communities.
Other important developments in the year included, continuation of the construction of CRO Masaka center, CRO Lira class room, kitchen, dining hall and library and the youth center library at CRO Mbale. A computer program for young people commenced at the CRO centers, helping to expose the young people to new and relevant information through the internet. Throughout the year we endeavored to increase child participation in our work, in their families and community. Children’s voices were heard and they were included in decision making.
Networking and collaboration with other agencies enhanced CRO’s ability to provide quality services and to share and learn from other organizations and individuals’ promising practices.
We would like to thank all our development partners, individuals, churches, and companies for the generous donations. This enabled CRO to accomplish many planned activities, thus improving the lives of children on the streets. Special thanks go to the CRO Board of Directors for their tremendous gift of time and expertise. We also thank the staff of CRO for their tireless long hours of work. Above all, we thank all the children and young people who participated in the CRO program. You made the choice to change your lives. Well done!
Enjoy reading this report.
Christine Kamiti
National Coordinator CRO Uganda
