Soroti rehabilitated street children to reunite with their families

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A total of 14 former street children in Soroti City have enrolled for a one-year rehabilitation program before reuniting with their families.

These children, hailing from various areas within the Teso sub-region, were rescued from the streets and taken in by the Teso Children Development Foundation (TECDEFO).

The joint exercise was conducted in collaboration with local government officials.

The group is currently receiving counselling and guidance at TECDEFO’s Children’s Home in West Division, Soroti City.

The program aims to prepare them for technical skills training and help them return to school with sponsorship.

TECDEFO street children rescue campaign started in 2018, targeting the Rehabilitation of 25 children every year.

TECDEFO Director, Denis Okwera, says the objective is rehabilitation and eventual reintegration into their communities.

TECDEFO Director, Denis Okwera, speaking in his office in Soroti City. (PHOTO BY EMMANUEL ALOMU)

"The children will have opportunities to pursue various vocational training programs, including mechanics, carpentry, tailoring, and phone repair. Many will also be sponsored to attend schools of their choice. They will have resettlement kits tailored to the skills courses they have completed. The package will include essential items such as equipment, food, and bedding, among other things.”

In their teens, the children interviewed expressed immense gratitude for their rescue, excited about the future as they commit to completing their chosen technical courses before heading back home.



Founded in 2009, TECDEFO is a faith-based, non-profit organisation focused on supporting children who have suffered abuse, neglect, and abandonment in the Northern, Eastern, and Karamoja regions of Uganda. Their work addresses the urgent issue of children living on urban streets, aiming to foster better human growth and development.

Relatedly, the foundation has introduced a new initiative to train single mothers in tailoring skills.

This program was established in response to the growing concern that single-parent households and poverty are contributing to an increase in the number of children in need.

Participants will engage in a six-month training course, after which they will be provided with sewing machines to help them start their own businesses.