By: Sam Bernard Gumisiriza, ICT manager & M/E Officer -ARU-CCCU …………….
Aaron’s life began with a loss. Like a tender seedling uprooted by a storm, he lost his mother at birth and his father two years later in a tragic car accident. Alone and vulnerable, he was placed in St. Philomena Babies Home on 24th February 2012. There, amidst the walls of care and compassion, he found refuge. The home became his cradle of hope, providing food, medical care, education, and a warm embrace of love.
Before his father passed away, Aaron had moments of bonding with him at the facility—like the gentle touch of the sun on a cold morning, those moments left a warmth that never faded. But when the darkness of death claimed his father, Aaron’s story could have ended in despair. Instead, a new chapter began with the embrace of his paternal uncle Amos. He visited the boy regularly, his presence a steady lighthouse guiding Aaron home. During the holidays, Aaron was welcomed into the family circle, learning the rhythm of belonging.
Understanding that stability is the soil in which a child’s future grows, Sr. Teddy, the Administrator, sought sponsorship from CARITAS to cover Aaron’s school fees. Meanwhile, Amos, though humble in means, bore the weight of other expenses. In an effort to root the family in financial security, Sr. Teddy enrolled Amos in a Family Economic Start-up Capital Program. Like a farmer planting seeds for the future, Amos started a goat-rearing project. With time, the herd grew, and he sold the goats to support Aaron’s schooling and personal needs.
With each passing year, Aaron’s sense of identity blossomed. His godparent ensured that his faith was nurtured like a vine climbing towards the heavens. He received his First Holy Communion and later became an altar server, standing at the heart of the church like a candle illuminating the path for others. More remarkable was the transformation of his elder brother. Moved by the Eucharistic celebration at home, he converted from Anglicanism to Catholicism, deepening the family’s spiritual roots. Now, as a Senior 2 student, he excels in his studies, preparing for confirmation and singing in the church choir—a song of redemption echoing through their lives.
Then came the day of closure—not an ending, but a new beginning. On 25th January 2025, in Bulanga LC1, Nantamu Ward, Iganga Parish, Jinja Diocese, the case of Aaron Mulabbi Warren was officially closed. The ARU-CCCU team, St. Philomena Babies Home administrators, PSWO of Luka District, and Aaron’s family gathered, their faces glowing with joy. Carol Nansunkusa, the Case Management Officer, announced that Aaron was no longer vulnerable. The family’s goat-rearing project was thriving, providing stability and security. “Though this case is closed on paper,” she assured, “we remain friends and family.”
Madam Mwajuma, the PSWO, beamed with pride, having witnessed Aaron’s transformation from an orphaned boy into a young man with a family and future. Aaron, eyes bright with gratitude, promised never to take for granted the love that had been showered upon him. Sr. Euphrasia Masika, Director of ARU-CCCU, handed Aaron over to the local Catholic Church, urging him to grow in faith. Fr. Mark Duggan, the parish priest, stood with open arms, welcoming Aaron as a new member of the Catholic family, his joy overflowing like a river after the rain.
Aaron’s story, once marked by sorrow, is now a testament to the power of love. Like a tree once battered by the wind but now standing tall with deep roots, he has found his place. His journey reminds us that no child should walk alone, for with love, support, and faith, even the most broken stories can be rewritten into something beautiful.
