Joseph's Story 
Joseph’s slight frame and timid character are not what you would expect of a sixteen-year-old boy But in his short life, Joseph has experienced more trauma than most of us could ever imagine.
Joseph lost both of his parents to malaria by the time he was 11 years old.
To feed and clothe himself, Joseph dropped out of school to work as a farm-hand, ploughing fields with a hand-held hoe from sunrise to sunset in dry hot weather earning a tiny wage.
Working long hours without earning enough money to feed himself properly, Joseph’s health deteriorated. The closest health centre was a four hour walk away. Joseph was left with the difficult decision to work and eat, or seek treatment and have no food and risk losing his job.
Luckily Joseph came across AMREF’s Youth Empowerment Program – and his life changed drastically.
The program in the Kabale district of Uganda provides young people like Joseph with vocational skills training and small loans so they can begin a career and care for themselves.
AMREF also teaches the young people in the program about preventing diseases and living healthier lives. Youth in the program become peer educators and share life saving health knowledge with others in their community.
AMREF trains close to 500 peer educators every year.
As a young child Joseph’s father was a tailor – Joseph is now following in his Father’s footsteps.
“After this course has finished I think I will get a job with a tailor, start to earn money of my own and have a good living,” Joseph says. “I made the trousers that I am wearing today. I am very pleased with them and hope to make many more pairs.”
But many children aren’t as fortunate as Joseph.
By giving to AMREF you can help other young people – please give today.
