On the evening of Saturday 1/10/2016 Afitusi 16 and Edson 10 were battered and brutally beaten with huge heavy sticks, pelted with stones and cut with sharp objects by their local community in a small village in Uganda, only for helping themselves to something small to eat which didn’t belong to them.

As if this was not enough, they took these little boys, tied them up with ropes used to tow their huge cows and were mercilessly set ablaze by the use of petroleum.

The cries of agony from these little boys begging for mercy fell on deaf ears. Huge flames consumed their little bodies burning them until the smell of burnt flesh was mixed in the air. They continued to fuel the fire with anything that would increase the flames, because they wanted to see these boys burn to ash.

Some concerned people were attracted by the screams and ran to the scene. Only to find the boys desperately struggling to put off the fire on their burning their bodies. They couldn't do much as they were still tied together with the ropes. In shock and disbelief, they managed to put off the fire.

The boys were in excruciating pain with their bodies severely burnt, waiting for death to take them. At this point their cries were so faint, almost all hope was gone. They were helpless as smoke continued to come off their bodies which now had deep patches of flesh burnt off from head to the toe. The sight was deeply heart-breaking.

A kind local volunteered and immediately carried the two boys; with difficulty since it was hard to keep bits of flesh and skin together and from falling off.

He took them to a nearby Health Centre where they were given first aid but it was beyond the imagination and ability for the centre to help them since their condition was outside what the health centre could manage.

They were later referred to Bwindi Community Hospital on Sunday which was a gruelling and painful 11 hour drive.

It was the intention of the community to see these boys die right before their eyes, as was expressed to Doctor Birungi by one of the community members who members lashed out at him saying:

These unfortunate bothers lost their father early on and since his death they have been left to take care of themselves; since their mother was mentally ill and roamed the streets, her where about were certain most time. Afitusi and Edson had to fend for themselves. They had no food, no shelter, no clothing or any relative around to take care of them.

Sustain For Life has managed to help the boys by;

• Providing initial healthcare

• Training the boys and their mother in income generating trades

• Preparing and educating the villagers to receive Afitusi and Edson back into the community

• The boys have also been placed in school and are performing very well. Edison was top of his class twice in 2017! Well done Edi!

• SFL have also funded and supported the treatment and rehabilitation for their mother for her mental illness for a year to help bring the family back together. However...

The boys require reconstructive plastic surgery and we need your help to give this to them.