Jojo's Story: Finding Family, Finding Belonging

When Peter's Heart first met Jojo, he was a quiet little boy living in the slums of Kampala.

Those who knew him then remember a child who carried the weight of difficult circumstances. A longtime Peter's Heart supporter recalls that Jojo rarely smiled and often seemed emotionally withdrawn. During one visit to Christ Care, the school where he had recently enrolled, the children gathered to celebrate his birthday with cake and a chorus of "Happy Birthday."

Even then, Jojo didn't smile.

"I remember thinking he must be sick," she recalled. "Later, when we learned he was dyslexic, we were able to provide the support he needed to thrive."

Once Peter's Heart recognized the learning challenges he was facing, the team helped enroll Jojo in a school better equipped to meet his educational needs. There, he began experiencing greater success in the classroom.

But another transformation was just beginning.

As part of Peter's Heart's commitment to understanding every child's family story, the team began searching for relatives who might play a meaningful role in Jojo's life. Their efforts eventually led them to his grandmother.

What followed changed far more than his address book.

Staff members who visited Jojo with his grandmother saw a different child beginning to emerge. The little boy who had once struggled to show emotion slowly became more relaxed, more engaged, and—most noticeably—began to smile.

Photos: Jojo sits with his grandmother and mother. Peter’s Heart staff member, Geoffrey Jr., is photographing the beautiful village where Jojo’s grandmother lives.

For Peter's Heart, Jojo's story beautifully illustrates why family restoration is such an important part of the organization's work.

The goal is not simply to locate relatives. It is to help children rediscover belonging.

Children who have experienced neglect, instability, or trauma often need more than food, school fees, and medical care. They need to know there are people who know their names, celebrate their birthdays, encourage them through challenges, and remind them that they are part of a family.

For Jojo, reconnecting with his grandmother appears to have provided something he had been missing for a long time: a sense of security.

That growing sense of belonging showed itself in small but meaningful ways. His countenance softened. His confidence grew. The smiles that had once been so rare began to appear.

Jojo's journey reflects Peter's Heart's belief that whenever it is safe and appropriate, restoring family connections can be one of the most powerful investments in a child's future.

Because every child deserves more than survival.

Every child deserves to know they belong.