The Archbishop of Kampala Archdiocese, Rev Paul Ssemwogerere, Centenary Bank Managing Director Fabian Kasi and other officials during the Nsambya Charity Walk recently
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I Centenary Bank is one of the institutions which have played a crucial role in sustaining Nsambya Babies home’s operations. In 2022, the bank became a key partner in the annual Nsambya Babies Walk fundraiser, where it committed financial support to strengthen the home’s capacity. Since then, Centenary Bank has donated $2,739 in the first year and $5,479 in the second year to boost the home’s ability to care for the children.
Each year, the bank allocates 2 percent of its previous year’s profits to Corporate Social Investment. Last year, the bank committed about $1.5 million towards such causes, with institutions like Nsambya Babies Home being beneficiaries.
During this year’s Nsambya Babies Home Charity Walk, Centenary Bank donated Shs 20 million towards the home to support the vulnerable children. The walk is organized annually in a bid to raise funds for the welfare of children under the Home’s care.
Sr. Teddy Nakyanzi, the Director of Nsambya Babies Home expressed deep gratitude to Centenary Bank for the support. “On behalf of the entire Nsambya Babies Home, I extend our heartfelt appreciation to our partners such as Centenary Bank for their support and generous contributions. Your support not only helps us meet the daily needs of the children but also reminds us that we are not alone on this mission. Together, we can give these children the dignity, love, and future they deserve.”
Beyond direct donations, Centenary Bank has offered financial support to grow the society’s sustainability efforts on an even larger scale. With the bank’s backing, the home has expanded into large-scale agriculture with coffee farming projects on 7 and 10 acres of land in Kankobe and Sango which has created an additional income stream to support its mission. Such relationships are what have kept the institution around for 67 years according to Sr.Nnamaala.
Genesis
Founded in 1958, the Child Welfare and Adoption Society has been devoted to its mission of providing temporary shelter for lost, abandoned, or rescued children with nowhere else to go. Based in Nsambya, the organization operates Nsambya Babies Home, its main facility, alongside two other homes: Kankobe Babies Home and Nateete Family Group, where older children between the ages of 15 and 17 transition as they prepare for the next stage of their lives.
Nsambya Babies Home accommodates up to 30 children at a time, with over 120 children passing through its doors each year. However, ensuring consistent care remains a challenge, as different caretakers work morning and evening shifts.
“We do our best to provide a nurturing environment, but maintaining continuity in care can be difficult. Because our staff work in shifts, it is hard to maintain consistency in the relationships between the children and their caretakers for a full day, but we try to keep them connected for as long as possible,” says Sister Sarah Nnaamala, the Society’s director.
Sr. Teddy Nakyanzi (L), the director of Nsambya Babies Home and Sr. Sarah Nnaamala (R), the director of Child Welfare and Adoption Society
Children arrive at the home through referrals from probation and social welfare officers, in collaboration with the Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development, as well as the police. Given the unpredictable nature of their arrivals and varying circumstances, the home relies heavily on support from well-wishers and donors.
“It is very hard to predict what kind of children you will get and the stories behind them, so our work is to provide a welcoming and nurturing environment for them to feel at home as much as possible when they arrive,” Sr. Nnaamala emphasizes.
Victims of abuse
Some of these children are victims of abuse or neglect, while others are survivors of trafficking, and some are orphans. The home provides a temporary structure for these children before they are moved to either their families or foster homes. The irregularity with which children come in and out of the home means that it requires substantial financial support to sustain its operations.
One of the babies under care at Nsambya Babies Home
“Most of our funding comes from well-wishers, whose donations vary and come in the form of cash, food items, and other necessities. We also have sustainable income-generating activities that help us raise funds to run the home. Currently, we have a rental property that we lease to tenants, a children’s goods shop where we sell shoes and clothing for both children and adults, and a tent, chair, and mattress hire business for those in the hospitality industry who enjoy camping adventures.”
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