Matthew

Name:  Matthew
Gender:  Boy
Reported birthdate:  August 5, 2010 (currently age 14)
Favorite color:  Blue
Favorite food:  Rice
Favorite activity:  Grazing animals
Favorite subject:  Social studies
Child is happy when…  He is playing football with his friends
Child wants to be a…  Doctor
Home information:  Matthew is growing up in the village of Bugoi in rural northeastern Uganda. He lives with his mother, Beatrice, and his father, Martine. He has 7 brothers and 2 sisters. He is the last born. His family supports themselves by “digging”—they grow crops such as cassava, maize, and simsim (sesame) to eat and to sell when they can. However, they struggle to meet all of their needs, and they often have challenges with sickness. Matthew helps at home by grazing animals, digging, and fetching water and firewood.
School information:  Matthew is a student at the Bugoi Haven of Hope Nursery and Primary School. He is currently in P6 (primary school, grade 6). In Uganda, nursery school lasts for three years and is followed by seven years of primary school and up to six years of secondary school. At school, Matthew will continue to learn and play, be taught about God, and receive meals, medical care, and clothing.
Village information:  In Bugoi, most people live in small groupings of mud huts with thatched roofs and depend on small-scale farming or gardening to feed themselves. This is often made difficult by drought, which can lead to poor harvests and famine. The Haven of Hope school is located beside a lake, where some villagers also engage in fishing. Families tend to be large, and many adults care for orphans in addition to their biological children. Disease, including HIV and AIDS, is common and has left many children without one or both of their parents. Poverty also keeps many children from attending school, as families struggle to meet their basic needs and afford school fees.
Prayer requests:  Please pray that God will give Matthew’s family good health and that he will do well in his studies.