My name is Kimanje Abdual Hakim. That evening, I was with two of my friends. We thought it would be an ordinary evening, but meeting a boy named Kigoozi changed the way I looked at the world around me.

One boy, and so many stories

We met Kigoozi on the streets of Kampala. What began as a simple conversation became something much deeper as he told us about his life. We asked about the other children, and Kigoozi led us to meet them.

There were boys and girls facing difficulties that no child should have to face. We could not solve everything that evening, but we could listen. We could stay. And we could offer what we had.

What we could give that evening

My friends and I went to a supermarket and bought food and basic supplies for the children. I went back to get menstrual hygiene essentials for the girls, because dignity and care matter for every child.

We spent the night with them. The hours passed, but the experience stayed with me.

When I got home, I could not sleep

I kept thinking about Kigoozi and the other children. I thought about the small things many of us take for granted, and how much those things could mean to a child who has gone without.

I wondered what could happen if more people knew their stories. What if more people cared?

Why I started Hearts of Charity

That night became part of the reason I began Hearts of Charity, a personal initiative rooted in the belief that children deserve food, clothing, hygiene essentials, kindness, and hope.

We cannot do everything alone. But together, we can make a difference.