When civil war broke out in Juba in July 2016 spread to Yei. The situation was unpredictable as to what would happen next. Insecurity was rampant, reports of gender based violence, recruitment of boys by armed factions were widely covered in the news. The economy was down and girls were being given for marriage in return for bride prices so that families could survive. This raised fresh concerns about safety, education and future of the former street girls at CCC in Juba who were rescued in 2007. This raised fresh concerns about safety of former street girls at CCC in Juba. It was happening all over again. These girls had made so such stride towards a brighter future through education; and it was their only hope for the future, now not taken for granted. Cathy did not want any set backs. Another concern was the life of children who needed continued specialized medical care was at stake. Schools ware disrupted, health services unreliable. Although these children were reaching the normal (18 years) age of reintegration back into community, these former street children had no community to go back to. By the end of 10 years of care, more than 50% of the cohort of girls from the streets of Juba, from Konyokonyo market and the Juba cemetery, one or both of their parents had died. Most do not have any family and would land in the hands of abusers often also subjected to domestic violence.

In 2017 Cathy relocated from Juba to Kampala with a former staff Yunia Muhenge to established a program in Uganda that would support these South Sudanese vulnerable girls so that they can continue with secondary education in boarding schools having a place to stay during schools’ holidays where they revise their books, access to life saving medical services stay safe and prepare for school the next term.

Alongside with education, children at CCC in Uganda are supported to become pass exams, learn a vocational skill and become independent. We ensure that the older girls who have younger siblings are not separated. We therefore support the young siblings to attend school in boarding as well. Through our devoted friends and supporters we enabled 4 children to access life changing plastic surgery and medical care. , engaging youth and women’s groups in awareness-raising activities with regard to gender-based violence and child protection concerns.

In Uganda we are part of a consortium of civil society where we participate in raising awareness on protection and education of children with emphasis on girls, women and refugees. We lobby and raise awareness on corpral punishment. We also provide vocational training skills

CCC in Uganda is inspired by Christian compassion to take care of the needs of the most vulnerable children, youth and women in society, as in (Matthew 25:35-45) by commitment to community participation and development, and by passion to advocate for the rights of vulnerable children and youth, through partnerships.