Blog Archives

Derrick Sentongo's Story

10/26/2020

Universities and trade schools have also started up this October with some studies in person and others virtual, depending on the school. One student going back to school, virtually, is Derrick.

Read his story...

Derrick grew up with both of his parents in Nabutiti, a Kampala suburb. His mother is a shop attendant, and his father is a Boda cyclist, whose income could not enable them to provide for their five children's rudimentary and educational needs.

Derrick was placed in a local government primary school earlier in his education, though most times, he was sent home for school requirements before he entered the Buyamba sponsorship program.

When Derrick's mother received Jesus as her Lord and savior; she joined Kabalagala Pentecostal Church (KPC) and Derrick joined the children's church, from where he was identified and registered for sponsorship. Derrick then joined God Cares Schools in 2008 for both his Primary and Secondary levels and went on to join a University. Derrick feels blessed and privileged to currently be in his last year at one of the best Universities in Africa, Makerere University, pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in Music, Dance, and Drama.

Many of our students, like Derrick, are in need of laptops to assist with their virtual learning. A gift of $400 would grant us the ability to purchase a laptop. We can then empower a university student to continue their studies. However, a gift of any amount will help us in our efforts to equip these students!

0 Comments

God Cares Welcomes Students Back

10/21/2020

0 Comments

On Thursday, October 15th, the doors of God Cares Primary School and High School reopened for three levels of students returning for their National Testing. The students are excited to be back, and so are the teachers and administrators. It was a happy reunion!

Now, it is back to the business at hand for these three groups of students must begin preparing quickly for National Exams that will happen in a few months. The Primary 7 (like 8th grade in the US) and S4 (4th year of high school), and S6 (6th year) will be studying in the classroom and in the new dorms as they prepare for their exams. There are guidelines in place for the reopening of both schools. We are so blessed to have our teachers and staff return and are so grateful that we have been able to keep them all on payroll during the lock down throughout Uganda due to our sponsors' generosity.

All other classes will return to school sometime at the beginning of 2021. The exact date will be decided and announced by President Museveni in January.

Please pray for our students, whether in school or out, as they adjust to the challenges of this season. Pray that their eyes would be steadfast on the Lord and help them through the trials they are encountering. The food distribution will continue for our student families who need help in the slum areas while they await school to open.

We will continue to carry out our mission to offer love, hope, and a future through education and discipleship…one child at a time.

0 Comments

Heavenly Manna!

10/1/2020

0 Comments

On Thursday, March 19, 2020, during our school chapel, the Headmaster announced that all students were to go home the following day, per the President's directives, following the Covid-19 outbreak. It was a surprise to all students, even though we were aware of the virus's existence.

It was extreme excitement to most students, but to me, it was the opposite because I knew what home was…a flooding house!

When I got back home, nothing had changed; our house was still flooding in that one had to step in water as they did whatever they wanted to do in the house. This forced mum to request one of her friends to have my two little brothers (5 & 11) spend nights at her place since they were too short and young to walk through the water. Now, mum worked as a casual worker at a Chinese fish farm, but sadly, two days after our return from school, the farm was closed following the virus spread. We went back to square one, a flooding house and no source of livelihood.

Flooding in Shelah's Village

My mum and two other siblings and I resorted to moving house to house, washing people's clothes, and doing other house chores to enable us to have something to eat and meet a few of our basic needs. The search for us got harder and harder since shortly after, a total lock down was announced. Life was difficult, and the days seemed to be appearing darker and darker.

Fortunately, when the lock down was lifted a bit, Buyamba reached out to us with food and supplies. To us, this was like heavenly manna! The joy we felt cannot be expressed in words.

The time came when the water levels in the house were too high, we could not live in the house anymore, and we had to leave. We thank God that someone offered us a little shelter to stay in for a week. We reached out to Aunt Worship (Buyamba), and she helped us; she found us a place to stay with no floods, which is where we are currently living.

Despite all the hardships and trying dark times in this COVID 19 outbreak, Buyamba has been reaching out to us, checking on us, and providing us with food. All this has enabled us to hold on to the hope that "God indeed cares for us!"

We are so thankful to our sponsors for all the love, care, and support towards us during these challenging and dark Covid-19 times. Thank you for believing in a great and brighter future for us. May God bless you all!

0 Comments

Buyamba News

Derrick Sentongo's Story

God Cares Welcomes Students Back

Heavenly Manna!

Categories

Archives

Stay Connected!