By Sam Bernard Gumisiriza
In July 2025, representatives from six countries gathered in Sri Lanka for the Catholic Care for Children International (CCCI) Conference hosted by the Union of International Superior Generals (UISG)
The conference was meant to strengthen the capacity of Catholic Care for Children (CCC) teams across several countries. It brought together delegates from Uganda, Kenya, Malawi, Zambia, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka — each carrying their hopes, questions, and lessons about childcare reform.
During the one week of intensive training and sharing, Uganda’s delegation, representing the Association of Religious in Uganda (ARU) and Catholic Care for Children Uganda (CCCU), stood as a living example of what faith-led reform can look like. This led to Catholic Care for Children Sri Lanka visiting Uganda from 27th September to 4TH October to see the model they had admired in Sri Lanka — now alive in practice. From the moment the team arrived, they found not only presentations, but living examples.
Sr. Euphrasia Masika, National Program Director, ARU_CCCU, shared Uganda’s experience with the team in her presentation, ‘The New Charism of Care: Responding to the Call for Transformation in Child Care in Uganda.’ She spoke of a quiet revolution — of sisters turning children’s homes into early learning centers, parenting spaces, and livelihood programs. Buildings once defined by silence now echo with laughter and life.
“The best place for a child is in the warmth of a family. There, love becomes guidance, and guidance becomes a future.” — Sr. Euphrasia Masika
The team further received different presentations from the CCCU Uganda Staff before they headed to the field. In the presentations, CCCU Uganda took them through Case Management emphasizing that it’s the heart of the program, the CCCU tracking system which helps them in making the care measurable and consistent and Sustainability through partnership as the bridge between todays effort and tomorrow’s promise
After all the presentations, Sr. Stella Maris Kamanzi, CCCU Program Coordinator, took the opportunity to offer words that carried both gratitude and conviction. ‘Every time a child is reunited with their family, a piece of society is healed,’ she said. ‘Our work is not only professional; it is deeply spiritual. Each reunion is a reflection of God’s mercy made visible.’
For the 2nd part of the visit, the team was taken to the field starting by visiting the Ministry of Gender, Labor and Social Development which has worked closely with CCCU ARU over the years. In Iganga where they visited, they sat with families who had been reunited. They listened to caregivers who spoke of second chances. They met children whose smiles said more than any report ever could.
CCCU has become an international model for those with the same program. The program’s National coordinator Sr. Euphrasia has already been to Malawi to help the conference as they started the program after which, they also came to Uganda to Benchmark.
