Farmer John: An Update on Jajja’s Kids
by Diane Reiner
In Summer 2024, The Honest Arts Committee hosted an exhibit titled "Visions of a Country and Humanitarian Program," showcasing photographer Connie Frisbee Houde’s photos from her trip to Uganda with writer Diane Reiner. This article was suggested by Marsha, a Co-op Member Owner, to share a Jajja’s Kids update with the HWFC Community.
From Street Kid to Educated Farmer
When John Mugoya first came to Jajja’s Kids, he knew he wanted to be a farmer when he grew up. Up to the age of 10, John lived in a poor village in Uganda with his father, who was single and relied on a small plot of land to grow beans, sweet potatoes, and bananas. Inconsistent seasons led to crop failures, making his father unable to provide food or school fees.
At age 10 John left home for the capital city of Kampala, where hardship continued as he shared life on the street with other children. Together, they struggled to survive from one day to the next.
At the same time, a new home and education program for street kids, called Jajja’s Kids, was forming nearby. It started as a collaboration between Ugandan Ronnie Sseruyange, himself a former street kid, and Diane Reiner, a retired manager with the NY State government.
Through Jajja’s Kids’ community outreach program held in the slums, John was invited to join the organization in 2014. Suddenly, John had a safe place to sleep at night, three meals a day, and the chance to get an education. And he had adults who cared.
When Ugandan schools were closed for two years due to the pandemic, farmland was purchased for Jajja’s Kids, an hour from the city. As John and the other children learned to grow food for themselves and for sale, John’s commitment to farming deepened.
Eleven years after leaving street life and joining Jajja’s Kids, John graduated from Bukalasa Vocational Institute with an Agriculture Certificate. While studying at the Institute, John shared innovative farming ideas with the local community and became a natural leader among his peers.
And what will be his first job as an official farmer? Managing Jajja’s Kids Farm! John is excited to develop the land and is already planning to build a fishpond in a low-lying area - both a source of income and additional food for the program!
For more information, go to JajjasKids.org to see how you can sponsor a “Jajja’s Kid” and help them complete their education.
Join us at our 2025 fundraiser, Nurturing Dreams with Education, on October 19, from Noon to 3 pm, Revolution Hall, Troy, NY. Check the website to learn more.
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