LOWELL, Mass — A Lowell boy whose body was found in a pond last year after wandering from his babysitter’s home was honored in a vigil at city hall Saturday two days after the first anniversary of his death.
Three-year-old Harry Kkonde wandered out the front door of the Lowell house before the babysitter, who is a family friend, realized he was gone. After an extensive search, the next day, Harry’s body was found in a pond about 650 feet from the home.
Harry’s parents, Sam and Harriet, gathered with family, friends and community members Saturday to celebrate the young boy’s life.
Harry’s mother cradled Harvey, the son she welcomed months after Harry’s death – a little boy who never got the chance to meet his big brother but will grow up always hearing his name.
“Harry was a good child, very playful. We had a lot of fun moments together, and we keep thinking about those good moments every day,” said Allan Mugisa, Harry’s cousin, who was more like an older brother to the boy. “We’re reminded of the great moments we had with Harry [by] just having Harvey.”
Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan whose office investigated the tragedy helped honor the beloved little boy at city hall.
“When you have the unspeakable grief of the loss of a child, what helps you to survive that is community, is the hope that others share your grief,” Ryan said to those who gathered.
Friends and family sang and lit candles, comforting one another and uplifting Harry’s grieving parents who are from Uganda.
“In our culture, when you lose somebody, every year, whenever that anniversary comes, you need to pray and commemorate with them just to lift up the spirits,” said Maureen Asiimwe Kalemba, chair of the Uganda Boston Community Association.
Since Harry’s death, community members have raised thousands of dollars to support his parents, allowing them to lay their first child to rest in Harry’s father Sam’s ancestral burial ground back home in Uganda.
“The community has grieved with us, it has supported us,” Mugisa said. “We still get visits from people coming to Harry’s house to support us, to talk to us, and it’s very, very comforting.”
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