Joseph Wanume (Junior)
Born: unknown
Admitted: n/a

Joseph Wanume, who we call Junior, had a difficult beginning. At six months old, Junior’s mother threw him in a community pit latrine (a whole in the ground used as a toilet.) A neighbor went to use the pit latrine and heard the baby crying. They called the police and the fire brigade came and broke open the concrete latrine with sledge hammers to get Junior out. His mother was arrested and released with a caution not to do it again. Junior was taken to the hospital to receive treatment for head injuries as well as infection. We were contacted by Probation Office and took Junior who at the time had no name. We chose to name him Joseph Wanume after the hospital administrator who works very closely with us.

Junior is a quiet little boy with a strong will. He is also not too fond of school. While working with one of our interns, Auntie Meg, we found out that Junior is dyslexic. It’s difficult for Junior to keep up in school, but he is doing alright. The special care and attention he gets at home, helps him succeed in class. He loves watching the movie Narnia, and is eager to learn how to drive a car. When he’s not at school, he loves playing outside with his sister Jasmine.

Although Junior had a hard beginning, we have faith that he will grow to be the man that God has called him to be. Remember Joseph in the Bible was thrown into a pit too, but later in his life, rose to be second only to Pharaoh. We believe that our Joseph will also have a wonderful destiny ahead of him. When you remember us in Jinja, think of Junior.