Growing up in extreme poverty, Ugandan man transforms lives of over 10,000 vulnerable children
Unable to hold back her tears, she pleaded with me to help her little boy, who suffered from cerebral palsy due to oxygen deprivation during childbirth. I can never forget the first time I picked up Ibrahim. Wrapped in a blanket, he laid on the floor in his house. He appeared extremely small and thin, in poor condition.
- 2 weeks ago
October 1, 2024
Allan Kato, a social media influencer and founder of several charitable organizations and businesses, is transforming lives by lifting children in Uganda and Africa out of extreme poverty. | Photo courtesy of Allan Kato
KAMPALA, Uganda — As a child, when my mother could no longer support our education, my siblings and I took to the bustling streets of Kampala. We scoured the community for discarded items, including food. On the streets, we gathered market-value recyclable materials and filled large, heavy bags. Then, we dragged them across the pavement and sold them at junkyards or scrap yards.
At a young age, we also worked as porters on construction sites, taking on jobs meant for grown men. Despite these challenges, I held on to my bigger dream. I always wanted to help those who faced poverty, lacked access to education, and were deprived of proper healthcare.
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Raised in extreme poverty, young man develops passion for helping others
Growing up in the village of Makerere Kikoni, a ghetto in the Kampala Division of Uganda, I faced extreme poverty. In the overcrowded streets, I witnessed squalor everywhere. Piles of garbage lined the unending dirt roads. Working tirelessly from dawn to dusk, my single mother supported the family. As the youngest of seven children, including my twin brother, I lived in a humble two-room house with my family.
Since my mother could not afford our education, I only attended elementary school. In Uganda, where schools charge for education, poverty kept us from it. Despite our limited resources, my mother ensured we never went to bed hungry. She taught me to share what little we had with those who had less. Her words became the guiding principle in my life: “Help others to make this world a better place.”
Seeing single mothers struggle and children die from hunger in my community fueled my resolve to create change. When I shared my project idea with my mother, her eyes sparkled with pride, and she immediately agreed to support me. Utilizing my network and resources, I sought to bring a smile to every child’s face in the ghetto.
Over the years, my interest in fashion grew, and despite the high cost of clothes, I pursued my passion. I bought what I could. Rummaging through fairs and sharing content on social media, I eventually became well-known in Uganda and across Africa.
Dream once small as a seed grows into a thriving forest
In 2019, I opened a small organization in my home. I began interacting with children and their mothers living on the streets in my community. Each day, I delivered the food my mother cooked, and we ended the day by playing music, dancing, and singing together. For a few moments, everything transformed into something magical.
As the project gained momentum, I created social media accounts and began posting daily. Outlining our needs in each post, I showcased the realities of these children’s lives. Instantly, the videos went viral, resonating with many people who then offered their help. As I posted more, people increasingly contacted us, resulting in more donations to support these children. What began as a small dream transformed into a flourishing initiative.
Eventually, I established the Allan Children’s Foundation to provide essential support and empower vulnerable children. We introduced scholarship programs and formed partnerships with other organizations, investing in the educational development of underprivileged children. This investment provided the knowledge and skills they needed to escape poverty and pursue their aspirations.
At the same time, healthcare became a vital component of our efforts. I organized health camps, offered medical check-ups, and promoted education on hygiene and nutrition. Additionally, I fostered personal growth and resilience among the youth. I implemented mentoring programs to guide them, provided life skills training to enhance their capabilities, and organized recreational activities to build their confidence. These activities also aimed to develop leadership qualities and instill pride in their cultural heritage.
From despair to hope: man helps children transform their lives
When we found Shakima at three months old, she stood on the verge of death. Her story broke our hearts. The moment I held her, I rushed her to a health center, where doctors provided immediate medical attention. Extremely fragile and malnourished, they warned me her condition looked critical.
Fearing she would not survive, I left the center. However, with the prescribed treatment, proper nutrition, and abundant love, she overcame her deteriorating health. Today, that little three-month-old thrives as a wonderful 5-year-old girl attending school. People from around the world fund her education through donations. Now, she is a cherished member of the Foundation’s community.
In another distressing case, Ibrahim’s mother learned about our Foundation and approached us. Unable to hold back her tears, she pleaded with me to help her little boy, who suffered from cerebral palsy due to oxygen deprivation during childbirth. I can never forget the first time I picked up Ibrahim. Wrapped in a blanket, he laid on the floor in his house. He appeared extremely small and thin, in poor condition. As a result, survival seemed almost impossible for him.
Ibrahim’s mother suffered for years, explaining how poverty in Uganda turns raising a child with disabilities into a death sentence. I listened speechless, hugged her, and promised to find help. Soon after, various people donated, allowing us to provide Ibrahim with proper nutrition and a wheelchair, as he was almost immobile. This moment transformed his life, granting him newfound independence. We also started covering his physiotherapy, which enhanced his life. Today, he is stronger and his health looks promising.
Shema celebrates his birthday for the first time
We often celebrate kids’ birthdays, giving them their first joyful experiences. Shema, a 7-year-old boy, dreams of playing soccer and admires Cristiano Ronaldo. For Shema’s birthday, we planned a surprise by decorating his cake as a soccer field featuring his favorite players. We filled the birthday place with colorful pennants and garlands.
When Shema arrived, we asked him to close his eyes. As we sang, we placed the cake in front of him, lit the candles, and asked him to open his eyes. When he opened his eyes, his face lit up with a big smile, and his eyes sparkled with excitement. Overwhelmed with joy, he did not know what to say. In excitement, I shouted, “Make three wishes, Shema!” He closed his eyes again, ready to blow out the candles, as I hoped to make his dreams come true.
In every child I help, I see my childhood reflected back at me. When I arrive at the community, children rush towards me, surrounding me, hugging me, and spreading their laughter. I witness many children cry with emotion by simply receiving school supplies, clothes, shoes, or a plate of food. This brings me immense excitement, knowing they find their hope in me.
Man helps over 10,000 children find hope and opportunity
As a child, I never got opportunities. I did not progress far with my education, and I lacked support. So, in the future, I dream of building schools where all poor children can access education. We can lead change, make a difference, and join forces to do everything for these kids. My story demonstrates how one person can make a difference and spark a ripple effect of positive change. Together, we can transform the world into a better place for everyone, as my mother frequently told me.
Today, we work together as a team, radically transforming the community. The work of the foundation thrives through people who offer help and collaborate. When we began, my mother alone cooked to feed the children. At present, many other women have joined her. We acquired additional tables and plates to feed more children. We now serve 200 children daily.
Pride overwhelms me as I look back on my journey. It moves me to tears when I think about where I am heading. What began with saving 13 children in Kampala’s ghetto, grew into helping over 10,000 children throughout Uganda. These children inspire me with hope. I will continue walking this path until no child grows up on the streets. I will keep fighting to restore their hope and provide them the chance to dream.
