Illiteracy is
common in the Rwenzori region. While universal primary education is a
government policy, parents must still contribute in large part to the cost of
their children’s education. Some communities don’t take education seriously,
and orphans are greatly at risk to not having relatives who will pay their
school fees.
Superstitious belief systems, witchdoctors and
witchcraft are
common within the Rwenzori region. Child witch hunting is driven and justified
by some religious groups. Accused children are expelled or trafficked, and in
some instances are killed in acts of ritual sacrifice as people are duped to
believe that performing rituals can attract good fortune.
Lack of shelter is a
great obstacle and some orphans can be found living on streets. Those who have
relatives to live with can still find themselves in a very run down
circumstances. In many cases the children are not given the right to the
properties left by their parents, as other relatives take the assets. Whether
on the streets or without adequate care with relatives, they are at risk of
addiction to drugs and narcotics at a very tender age due to lack of parental
care and guidance.
Insufficient food and malnutrition is
common among Rwenzori orphans, as some only live on leftover foods thrown in
dustbins. Kwashiorkor and marasmus are diseases that arise due to an severe
deficiency of nutrients and starvation.Child labor is
common among orphans in the Rwenzori region; some have been made to work in
sand and quarry mining, working as house boys and house girls at such a tender
age.
Sexual violence victims
are common among orphans. Some have been sexually abused even in orphanage
homes, convents, seminaries, schools, etc.
Civil wars and rebel insurgencies that
have been prevalent in the Rwenzori region have had children and women as
first victims. Some orphans have in the past been captured and incorporated
into Christian rebel armies and trained as child soldiers.
Child trafficking is also
common where some orphans have been sold as slaves to the western and Arab
markets for child labor and sex tourism.
Denial of basic human rights to girls due to
traditional norms where girls are treated unfairly when it comes to eating
certain nutritious foods or even going to school. Female genital mutilation is
still performed in some communities.
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