About Us

Child Welfare and Adoption Society (CWAS) is a registered charitable non-Government Organization (NGO No. S.5914/504), which looks after vulnerable children. Its headquarters are located at Nsambya off Ggaba Road in one of the suburbs of Kampala. It was established in 1958 by Fr. Rawlinson, a priest of the Society of the Mill Hill missionary Fathers, to coordinate the social work activities of Catholic Child Care Institutions in different areas of Uganda.

Due to long distances pregnant mothers used to walk to reach hospitals, some of them used to die and leave children behind, whose families could hardly be traced. Besides, the then high influx of refugees to Uganda from the neighbouring countries such as Rwanda also caused the number of abandoned children to rise. Fr. Rawlinson started collecting such abandoned children from the hospitals and on the streets and put them under the care of willing elderly mothers at a cost. These running costs would be facilitated by financial collections from various local and international sponsors.

Since these children were from different backgrounds; cultures, tribes and religious denominations, the name changed from Catholic Child Welfare and Adoption Society to Child Welfare and Adoption Society (CWAS) in 1964. The Society had similar Homes in other parts of Uganda. Due to financial constraints, the Uganda Episcopal Conference agreed in 1966 that each Diocese should look after its local children. Therefore, CWAS remained under Kampala Archdiocese and its administration was entrusted to the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Reparatrix-Ggogonya, locally known as Ggogonya Sisters.

• Admitting, caring for and protecting abandoned, orphaned, or abused children.
• Tracing and reunifying children with parents or relatives.
• Facilitating fostering and adoption where reunification fails.
• Providing counseling for children, caregivers, and foster parents.
• Offering education support and outreach programs.
• Organizing seminars and workshops on life skills, values, and parenting.
• Networking with organizations and individuals for vulnerable children.
• Running farming and income projects for sustainability.

CWAS is managed by a Board of Governors appointed by Kampala Archdiocese. Day-to-day activities are run by the Director, supported by Administrators, Social Workers, and staff at each Home.

Funding comes from projects like rental collections, the Guest House, tents & chairs project, farming initiatives, and support from donors locally and internationally.