A Graduate Story: Jackline Tendo

My name is Tendo Jackline. I'm 23 years old, and I graduated this August from Africa Renewal University with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration specializing in accounting and finance. I joined God Cares Schools under Buyamba Uganda ministry in 2005, and I'm thankful for their support beginning in primary all the way through university.
My father passed away when I was young, so I grew up with my mom and siblings. My mom used to sell charcoal to take care of us. My siblings and I had no hope of going to school until the day Pastor Bethuel Dongo accepted us all to join God Cares primary school. He was so kind that he gave me everything that I needed to go to school and he always encouraged me to study hard. It was great being at school because I lacked nothing … unlike when I went back home, we had nothing to eat at all. I would collect scrap and sell it to raise money for my brothers and sisters. Life was very hard, but we had to endure. When I reached high school, things got worse because mom fell ill and was unable to work. Mom had nothing at all, she couldn’t even afford our books, so she decided to take my siblings and me back into the village. At this point, I thought everything I had ever dreamt of was coming to an end. I cried out loud and asked God to have mercy on me. Immediately I decided to go and talk to Pastor Dongo to see if he could help us out. After praying, I changed my clothes and made the journey to church. I walked slowly through the crowd at the church down the hill to Pastor Dongo’s office, and I felt so nervous and shy. I knocked and the door, he welcomed me and as soon as I sat down tears started rolling down my face. I explained everything to him and to my relief he was so understanding and kind that he told me not to worry because he was going to cater for every single need at school not only for me but also for my siblings. I was so happy and returned home to share the good news with my family. School tuition was no longer our problem, and for that we were grateful.
When the time came for me to graduate high school I got a job and started working. I worked and saved money because I knew when university came around I wanted to be able to support myself for the things I needed. Although difficult times came, God always helped me succeed, and He was with me through all my hardships. The Buyamba ministry was there for me as well to support me in my tuition. I will forever be grateful to God Cares Schools, Buyamba, and the Dongo family. Mostly I am thankful for Pastor Bethuel Dongo who had become like a father to me. May your soul rest in eternal peace.

I am now empowered to reach my goal of becoming a philanthropist and do the good works of God.