A former South Sudanese street boy and orphan is finding ways to change the lives of homeless street children and fellow orphans.
Director Martin Ojok Kenedy is the founder of Atekilwak Child Protection Orphanage Organization. He was a street boy for almost 12 years before a Chinese man took him to China where he stayed for twenty years.
Atekilwak Child Protection and Orphanage Organization, is hosting over sixty children from different parts of South Sudan.
The word Atekilwak means ‘I’m strong with you’ in the Acholi language. Its literal meaning is ‘If you are not there, I am weak’.
The Organization founded by Martin Ojok Kenedy in 2005, supports orphans to acquire education and feed them.
Usually it performs cultural dance known as Acholi dance to expose the kids to their culture.
Mr Ojok became a refugee in Uganda between 1992 and 1993 after they were displaced in South Sudan by the long Sudan and South Sudan’s war that led to independence.
Staying in the street was his only option after his parents were killed.
While in the street, he started taking drugs. But mystery came one day when he was rescued.
‘I’m also an orphan. I was in the street for almost 12 years. A Chinese man, friend to my father, took me off the street while collecting food in the dust bin. He worked on the legal procedures from the camp and the government of Uganda so he was given the mandate to take me to China. Now, I am helping lost children, orphans and street children to develop their potentials’.
Upon returning from China, Ojok opened Atekilwak Child Protection and Orphanage Organization in Juba. His aim is to give a home to his fellow orphans and street children.
‘In 2004 when I came back to my country, I have seen many street children just like me before. I decided to support the street children and orphans with the little money I came with from China. Took them to school and fed them. The children are from different tribes of South Sudan and they perform Acholi dance regardless of which tribe they come from. My objective is to help orphans and street children’.
Speaking from experience, the former street kid calls for more children who are just like him before to join his organization.
‘So I call upon those street children and orphans to go back to their houses. If they don’t have any let them come to my organization in Munuki, Libya Primary School. I need more homeless children to come and stay with us to learn music, drama, football, Acholi dance to be happy in front of people’.
Embarking on a venture like this is very difficult for one man or organisation. Hence, Director Kennedy is calling for more support to give hope to more homeless children roaming the streets.
‘ I ask you to help the homeless children, accommodate them, feed them and provide bed sheets and beds to give them hope.
Mary John joined the organization in 2005. She has no idea of where her parents are even today.
Mary was just staying at home with relatives without going to school. Thanks to Atekilwak Child Protection Orphanage Organization. Now she is happily going to school.
‘My father and mother are not here. We were left very young. I was not even going to school. So Ojok went to our home and asked permission from my relatives so he can take me to his organization. My relatives accepted. I used to think a lot because some kids were going to school, but I was staying at home. Now I am also a happy school going pupil’.
Mary calls on the government and well-wishers to support them to reach their potentials.
Her vision is to study hard, finish her education and be productive.
August Benson is another street boy who lost his father. He joined the organization in 2009.
Today, he is full of praises for the Director of Atekilwak.
‘First of all, I want to thank the Director of this organization. I don’t have a father. My mother is brewing alcohol and her money is not enough to pay my school fees. One day, I was crying in the street. Martin was passing by the road and found me crying. He asked me why. I told him I have lost my father and my mother is brewing alcohol and can’t send me to school. Martin consoled me and took me to the organization. My life has changed since then. He admitted me in primary five and now I’m in senior three’.
His dream is to finish his studies to also support other children in the same situation.
‘What he did for me, I will also do for others. My life was a mess when I was in the street. I was not happy because I used to see my colleagues going to school, but I was not. Now my life is different. The money we get from the cultural dance is helping us to support our basic needs, including scholastic materials’.
The activities Atekilwak Child Protection and Orphanage Organization is carrying out include, drama, music, football and volleyball. It also performs Acholi Cultural dance and they are normally hired by some institutions to perform during key functions.