How does uncle help salva throught this traumatic event?

Uncle breaks the journey down into smaller distances. He would tell Salvo, "You need only to walk as far as those bushes." Then after they reached the bushes, he would say say "now walk as far as those rocks." Uncle represents a little stability in Salva's life.

The uncle breaks the journey to shorter distances so Salva knows he is there and so that he can power though the loss of his friend.