Osuta, 10, is the third of four children of Okuvuru Josephine, 37, from Okalaka Village, Abindi Parish, Abiliafe Sub-county. The family also has ties to Dandrua Village, Onzoro Parish, Katrini Sub-county.
Osuta was born with clubfoot, a condition that affected his mobility and limited his ability to participate fully in activities with other children.
Clubfoot remains a significant childhood health concern in Uganda. According to WaliMU, approximately 2,100 babies were born with the condition in 2022. Without appropriate treatment, clubfoot can cause lasting mobility difficulties, affecting children’s ability to walk, play, and participate in everyday activities.
A turning point came through Literacy and Adult Basic Education (LABE), which, with support from Liliane Fonds, implements the Building Effective Networks (BEN) – Inclusive Learning for Children with Disabilities (ILCwDs) Project in Terego District. The project supports children with disabilities to access inclusive learning opportunities, medical care and rehabilitation services, while strengthening families’ capacity to support their children’s development and well-being.
Through the project, Osuta was identified and supported to access appropriate corrective and rehabilitation services. In 2025, he underwent corrective surgery and received a standing frame and specialised shoes to support his recovery and mobility.
The intervention has brought a significant change in Osuta’s life. He can now move independently, run, jump, and play football with other children. He is increasingly able to carry out activities on his own and is now attending Primary Two at Intensive Care Nursery and Primary School in Katrini, where he participates more actively in school and social activities.
For his mother, the change has been equally transformative. Before Osuta received the intervention, she had to constantly monitor and assist him with movement. Reflecting on his progress, she said:
“I am now free from always looking out for him and supporting his movement. Now he lives his life independently.”
The BEN Project’s support has also strengthened the family’s economic resilience. Josephine, who receives limited support from Osuta’s father and is responsible for caring for her four children, was linked to a Parent Support Group (PSG) Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA). Through the group, she is able to save and access loans, which she invests in her small restaurant business. Access to these loans has helped her strengthen her livelihood and provide for her family.
Osuta’s story demonstrates that inclusive support can transform not only the lives of children with disabilities but also the well-being and resilience of their families. By linking children to corrective and rehabilitation services while connecting their caregivers to savings, credit, and peer support, the BEN Project is helping children gain greater independence and families build more resilient livelihoods.