Ugandans Adopt

Tag: Ugandans Adopt Ambassadors

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ADOPTION STORY UPDATE: MULUNGI THE HAPPY ONE

Mulungi
Mulungi

Mulungi is  a happy, eight year old boy. We have known him since he was ten months old when  he was admitted to a  babies home.

The social workers traced for Mulungi’s birth family and extended family members but their efforts were fruitless. During the tracing, social workers placed adverts in Bukedde Newspaper and on Radio Simba; both media houses are local and adverts were run in Luganda to ensure that the targeted population could understand the message.

 

After  fruitless tracing, Mulungi was presented to the National Alternative Care Panel for approval to be placed in a fostering to adopt family. Mulungi was approved but finding him a family was not easy as all family he was initially matched with turned him down because some were afraid of his medical history and others because he was older .

A loving family was eventually found for Mulungi and they underwent a successful bonding process. Mulungi was placed by the Probation and Social Welfare Officer in  June of  2012 in his adoptive family after staying  at the babies’ home for one year and ten months.  Mulungi was placed with Jane a single whom he brought so much joy to  because he was the child she never had. Mulungi’s adoptive extended family all grew in love with him and often during the Social Work visits the family would inform the Social Worker how they are fond of Mulungi.

Shortly after Mulungi’s placement, Jane moved in with her older sister in Kitintale where she stayed until she passed away on the 2nd of August 2014. Jane was left with ten months to foster before she could apply for Mulungi’s adoption. Mulungi’s care was taken up by Jackie- Jane’s sister  who also accepted to be assessed since Jane hadn’t completed the adoption of Mulungi. Jackie was presented before the Alternative Care Panel on the 18th of December 2014 and was approved to foster Mulungi for adoption. Mulungi is attending school and he performs well. Jackie says he is a great child and he makes their family very happy.The social worker is currently working with the Probation and Social Welfare Officer of Nakawa Division to support the family to apply for Mulungi’s adoption.

 

 

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adoption

RUKH-SHANA’S INTERVIEW PART 2: RUKH-SHANA ON HOW ADOPTION HAS TRANSFORMED HER AND HER FINAL MESSAGE TO FELLOW UGANDANS INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES.

Rukh-shana

Below we bring you the final part of Rukh-shana’s interview in which she discusses  becoming a parent and how it has changed her life . In this part she also gives tips to Ugandan Prospective and adoptive parents.

How is your adoption experience so far? Has the experience been a good one?

3Rukh-shana: It’s been an amazing journey – not just for me and my little girl, but my family too. I have absolutely no regrets. Would we do it again? Absolutely.

How has becoming a parent changed you?

Rukh-shana: I don’t recognize myself anymore. I am more patient and tolerant, and even my family has noticed that I’m less stressed. I guess knowing that there is this little person counting on you to keep it together really helps you keep your head. And she keeps me smiling, so I am feeling – and hopefully looking -younger.

What are some of the changes you have made? 

Rukh-shana: Most were minor lifestyle-related choices, but the major one was connected to my career as a Corporate Relations Practitioner. It’s a profession with irregular working hours, so when I became a mum, I knew I needed to prioritize, and that meant making more time for bonding with my daughter. I swapped full-time formal employment for a more flexible option that gave me more time with her and it has been rewarding in many ways.

What have you learned most in this process? 

Rukh-shana: I have learned that sometimes we think we are changing someone’s life, when actually we are changing our own lives too. We become better people and often growing into our own purpose and destiny without even knowing it. There is no greater reward than that.

What would you like to share with other adoptive parents? 

Rukh-shana: Kudos to you for opening up your hearts and homes to the little ones. Never forget that children are a gift from God. Even when times are tough, stay committed to nurturing them the best way you know and God will honor you.

What would you like to tell Ugandan families or individuals who are thinking of adopting?

Rukh-shana: If you have fears, concerns or anxieties, get information, educate yourself and stop putting it off. There is a child in some home just waiting for you to welcome them into yours. I believe it’s one of the greatest acts of sacrifice, but also the most rewarding.

Finally, what are your last words to every Ugandan individual or family reading this article?

Rukh-shana: Some children come from mummy’s womb and others come from mummy’s heart. And you don’t need to be wealthy to adopt a child; all you need is a big enough heart. If you are reading this, you already want to make a difference. You can’t keep every child out of institution, but saving just one makes a huge difference to that child’s life.

To find out more on how you can adopt or become an adoptive parent like Rukh-shana, please send an email to [email protected] or call Aidah 0776110304

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adoption Uncategorized

RUKH-SHANA’S INTERVIEW PART 1: RUKH-SHANA ON ADOPTION AND WHY SHE JOINED THE UGANDANS ADOPT CAMPAIGN.

Rukh-shana

While Rukh-shana is a familiar face on the Weekend Edition news on NTV Uganda, she is also a doting Mum who is very passionate about her country Uganda . We  recently caught up with her to talk  about what makes her tick , motherhood and why she joined the Ugandans Adopt Campaign. In part 1 of the interview Rukh-shana discusses the Ugandans Adopt Campaign and her adoption journey.

Who is Rukh-shana?

Rukh-shana
Rukh-shana

Rukh-shana: She is a normal young woman who believes life is to be lived with passionate purpose and purposeful passion. Every day presents opportunities to do just that, and she grabs them with both hands.

What is the Ugandans Adopt campaign? 

Rukh-shana: Ugandans Adopt is a multi-media Campaign supported by the Government of Uganda under the Ministry of Gender, Labor and Social development. The campaign aims to find Ugandan families and individuals willing and capable of giving Ugandan children a future by opening their homes and heart through adoption. The Ugandans Adopt team also offers guidance, support   and resources before, during and after the adoption process. This is done through constant updates on Facebook, twitter and the Ugandans Adopt website.  In addition to organizing pre and post adoption training sessions, they organize regular coffee mornings and social events for prospective and adoptive parents, most of which I have attended.

Why did you join the Ugandans Adopt Campaign/cause?

Rukh-shana: I joined the cause because I strongly believe that Ugandans can provide loving families and homes for Ugandan children who are forced to spend their lives in institutions. We can’t continue to sit back and watch Western families come and take our children away. These children could very well be our nieces and nephews.

What does adoption mean to you?

Rukh-shana: To me, adoption simply means giving a child of no blood relation a chance at the life I had, with a decent home, a loving family and an identity. What’s more, it’s about the chance to belong, to grow into his or her destiny, and the chance to truly live.

Rukh-shana (highlighted) with fellow adoptive parents at a social event organised by Ugandans Adopt.
Rukh-shana (highlighted) with fellow adoptive parents at a social event organised by Ugandans Adopt.

How did you come to adopt a wonderful little girl?

Rukh-shana:

When I was in my twenties, I knew I always wanted to adopt a baby, even though I plan on having birth children. But I didn’t know much about the processes, and wrongly believed I needed to be rich to afford it. Over three years ago, I watched a talk show which was part of the Ugandans Adopt campaign on adoption and it helped demystify the issue for me. I started by finding out as much as I could about adoption and eventually took the plunge. The rest is history, and I have never looked back.

What advice/tips would you give to other people who are thinking of adopting a child?

Rukh-shana: I think many people know they want to adopt, but find it hard to turn their dreams into action. If you are considering adoption, you need to get enough information for you to feel ready to open your heart and home to a new member of the family. It’s a challenging step, so it is important that you are prepared:  once you take the plunge, there is no turning back.