Meet Cocus
When Cocus
came to us, he was behind in school. This year he has worked very hard to catch
up with the students his age and is doing well in our local school! Curious and
very intelligent, he likes knowing what’s going on and how he can be a part of
it! Cocus is a shy little boy with a
gentle spirit and sweet heart. He is thankful for what he has and helps teach
the other children to be thankful! He is so strong and through all the
treatment for his tuberculosis he has been so brave – facing the day with a
smile and a quirky laugh! He’s content playing by himself but loves attention
from the staff and Aunties, we are always finding him curled around our legs or
with his hand in ours! His smile is contagious, always bringing joy and
personality to our home! We are so thankful that he is a part of our family
here at Rafiki!
History
Cocus suffers
from spinal tuberculosis. His father recently passed away from AIDS and his
mother abandoned him because of his disabilities, saying that he wasn’t worth
the trouble. He was severely neglected, unloved and slowly dying because of his
tuberculosis going untreated. Never smiling, he would spend day after day
laying in the filth and dirt in the largest slum in Kampala. He
was one of over 3 million destitute, orphaned children living in the streets
and slums of Uganda. But Cocus is NO longer one of these children because
he is now part of our Rafiki Family where he receives all the love and care he
deserves!
Funky Facts!
Favorite… Color: Yellow Animal: Lion
Food:
Chicken and Rice
Game:
Tag Activity:
Nature Walks
Volunteer Corner
Cocus is the cuddler in the home! Yes, he loves playing games, coloring,
and going on nature walks with the rest of the kids, but if you give this
little guy a chance to sit on your lap or just give you hug, he would stay
there all day if he could. Every time he wakes up from his nap he lays across
my lap and he wraps my arms around him. He’s not looking for some extra time to
sleep; he’s just looking for some extra time to be loved. Every night before
bedtime all the kids run around giving goodnight hugs to all the Aunties and
Uncles. I can always count on sweet little Cocus to spend a little extra time
with me before he gets into bed. He always hugs me a little longer, holds me a
little tighter, and takes the extra step to give me a kiss.
He is such a blessing to have in the home. I love thinking of all the
times I have spent with him and I look forward to making many more memories
with him. Cocus loves, and you can’t help but love him back!
By Stephanie Madrid
Childcare Worker
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For the next few weeks we will be posting stories of all the kids here at Rafiki Africa Ministries (RAM). We want to give these kids a voice. There are more struggling kids here in Uganda than anyone is able to count. Here are the stories of 13 kids who's lives were changed by God through the work of RAM. We want to make you a part of this work, there is so much love and joy overflowing out of the Rafiki Home and we want you to experience this through these stories. We hope you can get to know the kids through these updates and we pray that you will fall in love with them just as we have. Be a part of the changes God continues to make in the lives of these kids. Make a difference. Spread the word.
Rafiki Africa Ministries
Rafiki Africa Ministries