A New Chapter for James: How Support Changed One Young Life

BY GEOGRE BUULE

At just nine years old, James Bahati has already faced a lifetime of challenges. Born with a physical disability that affects his legs, he has spent most of his life at Home of Hope in Jinja relying on others for nearly everything.

Before finding a home there, James’ world was painfully limited. He could not move freely, attend school regularly or play like other children. Most of his days were spent seated in one place, watching life pass by, dependent on caregivers even for the smallest tasks.

“When he first came, he could barely participate in anything,” a caregiver recalls. “He was always left out.”

But Home of Hope, a sanctuary for abandoned and vulnerable children with disabilities, gave James something he had never truly known a sense of belonging. He was cared for, fed, and surrounded by people who believed in his potential. Still, one major challenge remained: mobility.

Without proper equipment, James continued to struggle to fully engage in daily life.

That changed with a recent donation by the Ramathan Foundation, which provided mobility carts, along with pampers and other essential supplies to children at the home.

For James, the impact has been life-changing.

“With the mobility cart, i can now move on my own,” says Bahati. “ I join others in class, play outside, and no longer feel isolated.”

For the first time, James can attend school more consistently. He sits comfortably during lessons, interacts with his peers, and participates in activities that once seemed impossible. His world, once confined, is now opening up.

The donation of pampers, though simple, has also restored a sense of dignity. For children like James, they provide comfort, hygiene, and confidence allowing caregivers to focus more on nurturing and teaching rather than constant emergencies.

Today, James is a different child.

He smiles more easily, laughs with his friends, and is learning how to read and write. Like many children his age, he now dares to dream hoping one day to become a teacher and help others facing challenges like his.

For James, that future no longer feels out of reach. He is now a happy child going to school, making friends, and discovering a world that once seemed closed to him.

And with every small step or wheel forward, hope grows stronger.