Mouna from Uganda / part 1 

Photo: Benno Neeleman

Mouna is three years old. She lives in Uganda. Like millions of other orphans, she had to fend for herself. No father, no mother, no home, no future. She lived on the streets with her alcoholic mother when she was a baby; she was neglected and slept outside. Eventually, her mother couldn't take care of her anymore and disappeared.



Photo: Joris Lugtigheid

For a year now, Mouna has been living in the SOS Children's Village Gulu and has found a new home there, along with a new mother, new brothers, and new sisters. She is loved and pampered, can play without a care in the world and goes to kindergarten. Mouna has a future.



Photo: Joris Lugtigheid

Many children who come to an SOS Children's Village are severely traumatised. They are often introverted and shy at first. "It was like that with Mouna, too," says her kindergarten teacher Noreen. "It was difficult to have contact with her. She wouldn't play with the other children and was very withdrawn."



Photo: Joris Lugtigheid

But with time, she opened up more and more. She has now completely left her "inner cave" and is much more accessible. She plays with other children and her brothers and sisters. When you talk to her, she looks at you and keeps on chatting and chatting.



Photo: Joris Lugtigheid

In spite of her difficult past, Mouna is a healthy and alert child who trusts the people around her and is developing nicely.



Photo: Joris Lugtigheid

She feels particularly good when she's with her SOS mother. Later on, she'll go to school to become an independent woman - the key to a good life.

Mouna from Uganda / part 2