Gallery icon29 ImagesIn rural Uganda, children with disabilities are often hidden or deemed a curse. Fred Alimet is driving deep into the villages, bringing hope and a new way.July 11, 2026 — 7:49pm1/29David, 18, sits with his hands bound by rope to the bunk bed. David lives with an intellectual disability.Credit:Chris Hopkins2/29Fred Alimet with David.Credit:Chris Hopkins3/29When not tending to his congregation in Soroti, eastern Uganda, Pastor Fred Alimet travels to regional areas to educate communities about children with disabilities. Trying to dispel the long held cultural belief that children with disabilities are cursed, Fred is fighting a battle against the tide.Credit:Chris Hopkins4/29Simon Okurut carries his son, Paul, to Cherish Ikoku’s LandCruiser, with Fred Alimet behind the wheel.Credit:Chris Hopkins5/29 Fred Alimets congregation respond to his sermon under a mango tree. For two weeks Fred held his service outside under the tree as the physical church was re-built after being destroyed by a storm.Credit:Chris Hopkins6/29Fred Alimet stands amid the ruins of his church.Credit:Chris Hopkins7/29Teddy embraces her five-year-old son Moses as he winces in pain from the sores on the back of his head.Credit:Chris Hopkins8/29Fred Alimet explains to 30-year-old mother, Teddy that they cannot give her any immediate help financially. During a village outreach Teddy informs Fred and one of his village health agents, Mark Odai about her 5-year-old son Moses' life and what his immediate needs are. A CP (Cerebral Palsy) chair so he can sit upright to let the sores on his head heal, money for transport to Soroti for therapy and food for a meal are her most pressing needs.Credit:Chris Hopkins9/29Fred Alimet playfully teases 11-year-old twins Apio and Acen (centre and right) as their younger sister, Cana, looks on. The twins were conjoined at birth.Credit:Chris Hopkins10/29The congregation gathers under a mango tree to hear Fred’s sermon.Credit:Chris Hopkins11/29Local witch doctor Robert Apedu inside his clinic.Credit:Chris Hopkins12/29Local Witch doctor Robert Apedu and Florence Aguro carry Florence's son Noah Oyara into the shade after Robert treated Noah. Noah has no use of his legs and also lives with hydrocephalus. Robert treated these conditions by rubbing a paste of water and plant matter into Noahs skin. Credit:Chris Hopkins13/29Fred Alimet finds an upset 3-year-old Fleix's ankle tied to a nail in the wall via twine. Felix is often tied when his mother Jennifer Asuku is out doing chores. She says it is for his own safety as he could roll over and knock the cooking stove and fire and burn himself. Felix lives with Cerebral Palsy and Jennifer has been ostracised by her family and Felix's father. Credit:Chris Hopkins14/29 Fred Alimet plays with a happy 3-year-old Felix after releasing him from his tether.Credit:Chris Hopkins15/29Three-year-old Felix sits upright in his CP (cerebral palsy) chair. Such assistive devices are rare in Uganda but can provide the child with a certain amount of independence, meaning the parent can work or do chores.Credit:Chris Hopkins16/29Ketty Akello, who lives with Down Syndrome, dances with joy as Fred Alimet and her brother James buy supplies - and candy for Ketty - at the local store.Credit:Chris Hopkins17/29Ketty embraces her emotional mother Rose Akiro. Ketty returned to boarding school the day after this photo was taken.Credit:Chris Hopkins18/29At an information session for parents with children living with disability, 44-year-old mother Winifred Achan prays for her 12-year-old son Shedrac Ogwakol.Credit:Chris Hopkins19/29 Jessica Arego, 27, sits hands bound by a rope and tied to the uprights of the mud hut she shares with her sister and carer Mary Amulo, 24. Jessica lives, undiagnosed, with an intellectual disability which sees her disappear for days at a time without the ability to feed herself. Mary has taken to tying her up for Jessica's own safety.Credit:Chris Hopkins20/29Jessica Arego, 27, sits hands bound by a rope and tied to the uprights of the mud hut she shares with her sister and carer Mary Amulo, 24. Jessica lives, undiagnosed, with an intellectual disability which sees her disappear for days at a time without the ability to feed herself.Credit:Chris Hopkins