Ekkula

Ekkula is a home built in Kiwangala for girl orphans whose parents have died from AIDS. The house was constructed by the Dutch organization Livingstone last summer for students at Children’s Sure House who had no homes of their own. Wilma Schinkelshoek, a social worker, and her husband Sander were sent by Livingstone to oversee the transition of the girls into their new dwellings.

Ekkula means “something good; something beautiful”. The Schinkelshoek’s had the intention to call the house “Pearl of Africa” after the famous Winston Churchhill quote about Uganda, but in Luganda, the local language, there is no word for Pearl. If Baganda people speak about something good or beautiful they say it is Ekkula.

At this moment there live three girls live in Ekkula. They are: Vicencia, age 13, Mariam, age 12, and Sarah, age 10. All of the girls prefer staying in the house to their previous living situations.
“I like living at Ekkula,” said Sarah, because it’s close to school and it’s got electricity.”

The Schinkelshoek’s have returned to Holland, but the girls are now being looked after by Hope, a Ugandan social worker. A short distance a way, CSH has undergone construction on a home for orphan boys.