"Awaka": From a Run-Down Building to a Loving Home
- Michaela Gabrielides
- Aug 26
- 5 min read
Awaka is Luganda for “home,” and that is exactly what this story is about: the search for a new home for our children and how a run-down building was transformed into a loving home for them...
The Old Premises
I would not really describe the place where our children currently live as a home. After taking in eight additional schoolchildren on top of the 25 children and teenagers already in our care, and with three of our older girls expecting babies, the already extremely limited space in the rented premises is no longer sufficient.
Our children’s previous accommodation (12–14 people live in one room here)
Quite apart from the lack of space, there is no water, kitchen or toilet. The children have to walk for more than five minutes to use a public toilet, which they have to pay for. They can only shower outside at night, between the houses: they pour water over themselves while someone else holds up a cloth to shield them from view. These are definitely not living conditions in which children should have to grow up.
Since there is no shelter from the elements, during the often hours-long, torrential downpours of the rainy season, twelve children have to squeeze into rooms measuring just six square metres.
That is why we decided to look for at least five new, adjoining rooms for our children and teenagers.
Finally, a Suitable House?
After a long and intensive search, Salim messages me one day to say that he has found a suitable house: five rooms, still without a water connection, but with a toilet and a courtyard surrounded by a high stone wall. Salim isn't the only one who is excited – the other team members also assure me that, with a little renovation, this house will be a real game-changer for the children. Unfortunately, I can't get any photos for the time being because the previous tenants have not yet moved out. However, we have to rent the house immediately so that nobody else can snap it up before us.
With a queasy feeling in my stomach, I agree. It takes quite some time before the tenants finally move out. Then the first photos arrive…
First pictures of the new premises
The First Look Inside the New House
I swallow hard. This is not what I had imagined. Yes, we knew we would have to renovate, but this? What I do like is the high, solid exterior wall, which will give the children privacy. And then there is the hole in the floor that is supposed to become a proper toilet. Both of these things represent an immeasurable improvement. But what makes me sceptical, apart from all the dirt left behind by the previous tenants, are the crumbling walls, damaged and partly completely rusted doors, and broken panes of glass almost everywhere. Looking up, there is only a thin layer of corrugated metal separating the rooms from the sky – in the sunshine, these rooms are guaranteed to turn into ovens. Everything looks broken, old and gloomy… not at all how I had imagined our new children's home.
But it is going to be renovated, and then everything will be fine… hopefully! First of all, Maris cleans the entire house.
Salim Takes Charge of the Project
In the meantime, Salim begins organising the entire project with incredible energy. He hires tradespeople from the neighbourhood and brings in all kinds of equipment and materials.
The renovation work begins...
Just two days after receiving the first pictures, I see a water tank being lifted onto the house, while the first coats of paint begin to take away some of the building's gloom. A few days later, new floors are poured and ceilings installed in all the rooms and in the courtyard. In the bathroom area, a toilet, washbasin, drains and a water tank are installed – and, of course, all the pipes are concealed behind the walls!
From a Run-Down Building to a Home
At the same time, the road in front of the house is dug up so that the drainage pipes can be connected to the sewer system and the house can be connected to the public water supply.
The electrical wiring is completely replaced, every room gets power outlets and light switches, and two covered areas are built in the courtyard so that the children can sit outside even when it rains. The roof is given a fresh coat of paint, gutters are installed everywhere… and the work continues at this breathtaking pace!
...the home is slowly taking shape...
Every few days, I receive new photos showing the progress, and I can hardly believe my eyes: after just over two weeks, I see an almost completely transformed house! Nothing has been overlooked. The road in front of the house has been paved so that the children can get to school with clean feet even during the rainy season – our children's Dream Wise Primary School is located almost directly opposite.
Everything Is Ready for the Children to Move In
I simply cannot stop being amazed. What has happened over the past few weeks is nothing short of magic. At the same time, eight additional three-tier bunk beds have been ordered so that almost every child can have their own bed. Until now, some of them have had to sleep six to a bed. Wooden benches have been provided for both indoors and outdoors, along with new mattresses, sheets, blankets, mosquito nets and towels. Even rechargeable lamps have been purchased, because the neighbourhood experiences power cuts lasting several hours almost every day. Salim wants to make the children truly comfortable, so he insisted on having rugs in every room.
...the final preparations for the children's move-in
The Big Surprise
Throughout all the construction work, the children have no idea what is happening. Then, on August 6, the time finally comes for the big surprise. All of our schoolchildren are brought from school to their new home during their lunch break. They have absolutely no idea what is waiting for them. The gate opens. Very cautiously, they enter the courtyard and line up obediently. They seem to have no idea at all what to expect. Then they are led into their new living room, where they are allowed to sit on the new benches for the very first time. Maris tells them that they will soon be moving in.
Our children see their new home for the first time
Suddenly, they are completely beside themselves with excitement! They run around, cheer and laugh, their joy knows no bounds. All at once, they rush to claim the first bunk bed in the sleeping area. They run back and forth, not knowing where to look first. Every single one of them tries out the tap at the sink in the courtyard next to the new cooking area. They have never had running water coming directly from a tap in their lives! They are completely overwhelmed and can hardly believe that they will soon be moving into this beautiful new home.
The first look inside the house
Finally, a Real Home
Unfortunately, I couldn't be there in person, but I simply cannot get enough of the videos and photos from that day. I can hardly wait to experience everything in person at the beginning of September and to live there together with the children.
The children's joy at their new home
A huge, heartfelt thank you to our fantastic team in Uganda! With so much love and incredible dedication, you have transformed a run-down building into a wonderful home for our children in an incredibly short time – a home that leaves nothing to be desired. A very special thank you goes to Salim, who has poured his heart and soul into this project. His goal was not simply to create new sleeping and living spaces. It was a matter close to his heart to bring warmth and comfort into the house and turn it into a real home for our children.
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