Eric, a passionate and hardworking young adult from Hoima, had always dreamed of becoming an electrical engineer to support his family. With numerous challenges along the way, he never lost hope. Today, thanks to the support of the Palliative Care Association of Uganda’s (PCAU) Road to Hope (RTH) program, his dream has come true.
Eric’s challenges began when he was orphaned at a young age after losing both parents to cancer, marking the beginning of a difficult childhood. During their sickness, he was their primary caregiver, a heavy responsibility for someone so young.
After their passing, Eric was taken in by his uncle, who, despite struggling to support his own family of 13 children, became his guardian.
For the first time in years, Eric felt the solace of being cared for. Though he grappled with the absence of parental love and numerous hardships, he refused to be defined by adversity. Instead, his resilience became the driving force behind his pursuit of a career in electrical engineering. In 2013, Eric was enrolled on the “Give a Chance” (GAC) project under Give a Chance UK, a program implemented through Little Hospice Hoima (Hospice Africa Uganda), which supported his education till senior 4. Eric’s worst fears came back to haunt him, facing uncertainty about continuing his education. His uncle worked tirelessly to support him, but the financial burden was overwhelming. Determined to pursue his ambitions, Eric started a chapati-making business to save for his education. He used some of his earnings to complement the welfare at his uncle’s home and saved a few shillings for vocational training to become an electrician, and was unsure if he would ever raise the full amount for his tuition. His income and savings were meagre, making it difficult to accumulate enough for the costly tuition fees.
In 2023, Little Hospice Hoima strongly recommended Eric to the Road to Hope program, and he was enrolled. He was enrolled in a one-year Electrical Installation course in a vocational institution in Hoima District, reigniting his aspirations.
Presently, Eric is interning at an electronics shop in Hoima to gain hands-on experience in his field as well as entrepreneurship. He hopes to open his own electrical business in his village, where he was raised, bringing the service closer to his community. Eric is grateful to the Road to Hope program for making his dream into reality.
Eric is one of the few young people in his community who has had the opportunity to pursue his aspiration. However, many children like him are still trapped in difficult circumstances, with little hope of achieving their goals. Join us in supporting children like Eric and helping them realize their potential. Let’s give them the chance they deserve. Donate now and be a part of improving a child’s life.
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