Dolica's Journey to Hope • Uganda

Dolica's journey began in the war-torn Democratic Republic of Congo, which neighbors Uganda to the West. 

Dolica’s mother, Beya, lived with a disability and the father abandoned them, leaving Beya to face unimaginable hardship alone. Dolica never got to attend school. Years later, a man approached Beya, promising a better life for Dolica working as a caretaker for his baby. This was a lie and instead, he cruelly abandoned the girl in Wakiso, Uganda. 

Human trafficking is a serious issue in Uganda, as a source, transit, and destination for victims. Uganda experiences both sex trafficking and labor trafficking. Children are particularly vulnerable, being trafficked for domestic servitude, forced labor in agriculture, and commercial sexual exploitation – especially when they come from backgrounds of economic hardship, poverty, and lack of education. (Uganda Human Rights Watch, 2023)

In 2022, when Dolica was about 9 years old, a compassionate woman took her to the police. The police recognized the vulnerability of her situation and contacted Mercy Childcare Ministry. It was a turning point. Dolica was now in a place where she could find safety, support, and the love she so desperately needed.

She was welcomed into Joy House, one of the loving family homes at Mercy Village, where she lives with seven other children who are now like her siblings. In this warm and supportive environment, Dolica is finding the sense of belonging and community that every child deserves, surrounded by laughter, care and the love of Jesus.

She has been able to receive counseling and she is currently thriving at Mercy Christian Schools. Despite the trauma she has endured and her lack of formal education, Dolica is now learning, growing, and building a future. She was given an opportunity to receive an education and a community that believes in her. She also attends Mercy Church.

Dolica has her sights set on becoming a medical doctor. This young star dreams of healing and helping, and with her determination, we know she'll achieve her goal. Get ready world, Dr. Dolica is on her way! 

Pray for Dolica, as Mercy Childcare continues to search for her biological family with the hope that in the future she will be reunited, if it is in her best interest. Pray also as she works towards her goals for the future and heals from the trauma she has experienced.

As we lift her up in prayer, our hearts grieve for the millions of vulnerable children surviving in conditions of abuse and trafficking. The month of April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. The work we do in Romania, India, Uganda, Ukraine, Thailand and Kenya seeks to lift vulnerable children to a place where they feel valued and where their needs are met. This work is one of the most powerful ways to rescue children from these situations, and prevent children from being vulnerable to them in the first place.