Since October 2003, a growing number of boys to be resettled or integrated into foster homes have enjoyed the opportunity of spending time at the Tigers Halfway Home, Tudabujja, which literally means “We are being made new!”

In 2005, with 3 residential care workers firmly in place and 24 boys being prepared for their return to the community, the time had come to formally inaugurate this innovative part of Tigers’ work and so, on 20 May 2005, staff, trustees, volunteers, community representatives, and supporters, who included LC1 Chairman Mr Sam Lutwama, Hon. Issa Kikungwe MP., the British High Commissioner HE Adam Wood and the chairman of the NGO Board Hon. Joyce Mpanga, gathered to celebrate the official opening of Tudabujja.

The day, which remained bright and sunny despite the temporary appearance of some rather threatening-looking clouds, started with a guided tour of the premises, allowing the approximately 200 guests to catch a glimpse of the cottages, the livestock, including the brand-new chicks which had arrived at the farm only one week previously, the freshly built apprentice rooms funded by GOAL Uganda, and, of course, the spectacular views of Lake Victoria, the vast farm land and football pitch.
Tents then provided a much welcomed opportunity to seek refuge from the sun, and invitees from partner NGOs, government ministries and donor agencies gathered to watch the boys at Tudabujja perform their very own song and dance, “We are happy to receive you”. The song “Cry from the streets” written and performed by Rita Nkemba, the testimony by older Tigers boy Robert, as well as the performance of “I will be your home” by Katina Williams moved the guests and reminded them of the difficult circumstances and challenges which street children face.

Then, finally, the ribbon was cut by the British High Commissioner and one of the younger boys at Tudabujja, marking the official opening of Tudabujja, and as guests and boys started to queue for their matooke lunch, they burst into a collective rendition of the one and only Tigers Rap!

Suitable re-energised, both the Tigers and their guests then headed down to the pitch for the inaugural football match. Tigers Under 14s played a warm-up game against Kitiko-Birongo Community FC, which served as a reminder of how intrinsic a part of the community Tudabujja has now become and how prejudice and misconceptions surrounding street children are being fought through integration of Tigers boys into joint activities with the wider community.

But what the football loving Tigers boys are most likely to remember as the culmination of their day are not the speeches, nor the food and drink or the excitement of welcoming people to their Halfway Home but the moment when, dressed in black and yellow striped Hull FC shirts, and amidst the cheers of excited supporters of all ages and backgrounds, Tigers FC swept to an amazing 3:1 victory against the British High Commission’s football team. Roar on, Tigers!

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