When we first noticed a few children in the community not attending school, we had no idea how deeply God would open our eyes to the greater need. Initially, our response was simple: to address the frequent non-attendance of children in the community. We asked ourselves, "Why, with free education provided by the government of Uganda, were so many children still not attending school?" Conversations with parents and guardians revealed the harsh reality: while tuition was free, families were required to provide uniforms and supplies—expenses many simply couldn’t afford. In response, we began partnering with a few needy families, supplying uniforms and educational materials to help the children access school. Mobilizing support from friends and family, we collected extra supplies and distributed them to these children. The Growing Realization Despite these efforts, it became evident that attending school wasn’t enough. Learning was not happening. Through evaluation, we discovere...
In my last two episodes, I shared my childhood experiences first, during the war and after the war. Today, I'll continue with the third episode, "Beyond the Village." With no high school near me, it was time to leave home and head to the nearest "big town," Jinja, Uganda. I had never imagined myself in a big town before. Jinja, an industrial hub, was unlike anything I had known. After enrolling in high school, I needed to find somewhere to stay. I ended up sharing a small hut with a classmate who had already rented it. I remember looking up at night and seeing the sky and moon through the roof. We had to sleep in shifts because there wasn't enough room for both of us simultaneously. As hard as life was in my village, I missed it. (This is one of my first ever pictures taken)!!!!!! Back to the story!! To make ends meet, I worked to pay for my school fees, accommodation, and food. I enrolled in a carpentry apprenticeship and worked with a carpenter, d...