Violence against children, the voices of Ugandan ... - Raising Voices

Children’s VoicesI was working for money, got 2500/= andbought a hen. It laid eggs and hatched 12chicks. Later I exchanged these chicks for agoat. When my father fell sick, my mother soldmy goat without talking to me. I had gone toschool, when I returned in the evening I found itgone. I have never forgiven her.16-year-old boy, IgangaI dig for people in their gardens and each timeI dig they give me 200/=, and I use this moneyto buy books and pens because my father madeit very clear that his duty is to pay school feesand its upon me to work and get the otherrequirements.12-year-old boy, IgangaSometimes I do a lot of work. I dig every daybefore coming to school. When I go back homeafter school, I fetch water, collect firewood, andsometimes go back in the garden to dig.13-year-old girl, ApacI never have lunch. My aunt cannot allow me topack lunch, yet porridge that is served at schoolis for children who have paid for it. I never getmoney to pay.13-year-old girl, IgangaMy father abuses my mother that she is wastingmoney when she pays school fees for me,arguing that he did not go to school but he isalive and can afford to drink everyday.12-year-old boy, WakisoOne man arrested me for fishing young fish,yet nets that had young fish were not mine. Ipleaded but he took me to Kasese prison, andI spent there two nights just in July 2004. Thenmy parents came and bailed me out. But I hada nightmare in the cells with another boy. Weslept on cold cement and fell sick, till now I feelbitter about that.14-year-old boy, KaseseThey give a lot of work to do everyday, and mymother just sits or goes to drink then comesback and beats me if all the work is not done.15-year-old girl, NakapiripiritI work all day but no one even notices. It is likeI am a donkey to them.14-year-old boy, ApacPart Two Children’s Experiences 33