Ahmed Didaati
On a Sunday morning, songs, laughter and dancing echoed through the compound of Doreah Childcare Uganda in Gobero, replacing, if only for a few hours, the daily challenges faced by children living with autism and other disabilities.
Members of WAY We Are Youths arrived carrying bags of rice, beans, posho, sugar, diapers, clothes, shoes and other essential supplies. But as the day unfolded, it became clear that their visit was about far more than material donations. The volunteers danced, played games and spent time with the children, creating moments of joy and inclusion.
The visit marked the youth organisation’s second outreach to Doreah Childcare. According to founder Ssejjengo Frank, the group first visited the children when the centre was operating from its previous home in Nansana, Wakiso District.
“This is our second time visiting these children. We first met them at their former home in Nansana. We come because we want to make them happy—to dance with them, spend time with them and remind them that they are loved. We also want to stand with their caregivers, who carry a huge responsibility every day,” Mr Frank said.
He thanked the companies, organisations and individuals who contributed to the charity drive, saying community partnerships make such visits possible.
Among those recognised were FikTube, Muhawe Investment Ltd, Kawaya Uganda, Eco Space Foundation, Zebra Boxing Club, HomeStitch Interiors Uganda, Success Schools, Office of Honourable Kyagulanyi Musa Tariq, together with other volunteers and well-wishers.
The donations were received by Doreen Confidence Namara, widely known as Mama Dora, the founder and chief executive of Doreah Childcare Uganda. A trained teacher in early childhood and special needs education, she established the centre after witnessing how many children with disabilities were abandoned, neglected or denied access to education and healthcare because of stigma and poverty. Today, the organisation supports children with autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, epilepsy, hydrocephalus and other complex disabilities. The centre also works with families to promote inclusion and improve access to specialised care.
“We currently care for about 50 children,” Mama Dora said. “Some were abandoned by their families. Some were found on the streets. Others were referred to us by disability officers or community members because their families could no longer cope.”
She said many parents still hide children with disabilities because of fear, shame or misunderstanding.
“Caring for these children is expensive. Every month we need medication, therapy, food, diapers and specialised care. At the moment we are renting this home while building a permanent centre. We appeal to anyone who can support these children to join us. We are grateful to WAY (We Are Youths) for remembering us again, and we hope this partnership continues.”
Across Uganda, families raising children with developmental and intellectual disabilities often face significant financial and social challenges. Access to specialist services remains limited, particularly outside major urban centres, while organisations like Doreah Childcare Uganda rely heavily on donations and volunteers to sustain their work.
For the volunteers, however, the most meaningful gifts were not those delivered in sacks and boxes.
They were the smiles that spread across children’s faces during songs, dances and shared moments of play simple acts of human connection that reminded everyone present that inclusion begins with being seen, welcomed and valued. 
As the volunteers prepared to leave, the compound slowly fell quiet again. The food would help feed the children for a time, and the diapers and clothing would meet immediate needs. Yet the lasting message of the day was one of dignity: that every child, regardless of disability, deserves care, companionship and the chance to be embraced by the wider community. 
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