THE WOMAN BEGGAR

In June 1979, the work with children was resumed at what is now called the pride Theatre, on Namirember Road. It all started with Nakafero. This woman came to see Kefa at Apollo Hotel, which is now Kampala Sheraton Hotel. Nakafero came and fought through the barricade that was then manned by the Tanzanian soldiers. There was some scuffling at the gate, which drew Kefa’s attention that there was trouble.

A rugged woman who was trying to get through the gate by force caused the stir. Kefa had to intervene for Nakafero to be allowed to enter. Nakafero was overcome with joy and excitement to have seen Kefa back in the country. She had brought Kefa a present that was wrapped in dirty linen. These were five eggs, Nakafero took one of the egg which was stained with blood and dust and placing this egg in his hand, she then said to him ‘Kefa you have been away for so long, but we people you left behind are like this egg, we are bloody, dirty, unloved, discarded and regarded as useless, but like this egg, in us is a gift of God’s life.’

With this challenge, Kefa’s complacency was rebuked; with this woman beggar they opened a children’s home on Namirembe Road. The home was opened with 35 children including Nakafero’s own children, Topista, Namusisi and Norah, before the end of 1979 we had over 800 children.