Buyamba News
Stories and news from Uganda and the U.S.
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Helping Uganda One Child at a Time... My name is Godfrey Kalyango, and I am 19 years old and the oldest of four children. I am currently in secondary school year in my 5th year (S5) at God Cares High School. My childhood was difficult. By the time I understood the world, I was living with my maternal grandparents. I lived there with my other cousins until primary three (P3). I had never seen my father and mother until my mother came for me and took me to her place when I entered P4. I found three other children and a gentleman at my mother's place. Later, I realized the gentleman was my stepfather. My mother told me my birth father had abandoned us when I was still in her womb. I was young, and that did not bother me; what mattered was that I was happy in school and finally with my family.
When I entered GCHS, I was given a new mattress, uniforms, and other academic materials. I joined S2 in 2018. Ever since I joined Buyamba, my heart has been so joyful. I feel less burdened because my mother does not have to worry about me reporting back to school. I have benefited so much physically and academically, and my spiritual life has never remained the same. I have learned to forgive my biological father, who I have never seen. I know I have a good Father in heaven who loves and cares for me.
I want to thank Buyamba and my sponsors for loving me and giving my family food relief, Christmas baskets, gifts, and needs. I appreciate the Lord so much and give Him all the glory!
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My name is Maria Gorrett Nassolo, and I am currently a student of Early Childhood Development at a trade school called the YMCA Comprehensive Institute. I grew up with my grandmother. At three months old, my mother abandoned me and left me with my father, who could not take care of me. In the same village where I was staying with my father, there was an old lady who loved kids so much and could take care of them, even those not related to her. My father decided to take me to her home. She loved me even though I was not in her biological family.
"God surely knows His own." I joined God Cares High for my secondary level. In 2016 when in my S4 year, my grandmother passed away. I felt my life had come to an end. God surely knows His own; He created a way for me and gave me a new family. After my grandmother passed away, a friend told me I could live with her family. She took me to her home. I was accepted again and taken in as a child; since then, they have become family. God is so good.
In 2018, I completed my high school level. I joined a Tertiary Institute, where I am finishing my Certificate in Early Childhood Development. I thank God that amidst all challenges, He always created a way through for me. I thank God that my dream of becoming a teacher is becoming a reality. I thank my sponsors and Buyamba Outreach Ministries for loving, caring, and not giving up on me. May God bless all of you for helping me! 
My name is Penina Nanozi, and I am 18 years old. I am in my second year (S2) at God Cares High School. I am very privileged to be in school because most of my friends in my village at home are school dropouts and others are not in school because their parents cannot afford their education. In my family, we are eight children, and I am the fourth born. I have a dad who is a drunkard, having many wives, but he does not care about his children.
My mother used to do everything to ensure that my siblings and I got all the basic needs that a child needs for living, and she saw to it that we were back to school each year. Unfortunately, she passed away on the 18th of July this year. What made me sadder was that my dad did not appear at the ceremony on the day of the burial. We soon discovered he had brought another woman, my stepmother, into the house. We knew we would all have had to get used to it because we were just children; he was our father, but more was about to happen. After the burial, we returned home, but our father didn’t want us to stay at his house anymore. He threw my siblings and me out of his house, discouraging us not to go back to school and saying that we should go marry or find work to do instead. We had nowhere to stay until my elder brother called my maternal uncle, who came to our rescue. My siblings and I had to move to our uncle’s place. After my mother passed away, I lost hope. I thought I would not be going to school anymore, despite being a Buyamba-sponsored child. I felt that since my hope, “my mother,” was no more, no one would care what and who I would become. But I thank God that despite all that was going on and being thrown out of our father’s house, Buyamba social workers kept checking on us until they ensured that we were back to school. My sister Racheal and I returned and finished the second term of school and completed our end-of-term exams. With the right people (the Buyamba family) by our side, I am confident and sure that my future is bright! 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!
We will continue to carry out our mission to offer love, hope, and a future through education and discipleship…one child at a time.
When the President of Uganda announced the abrupt closure of schools in Uganda on March 20, 2020, trust me when I say that we didn't see this coming. We all thought that this virus was all going to end within a few weeks or maybe a month tops, but here we are, still living in uncertainty. Amidst it all, I am thankful to God, who has been so good to us. God continues to provide ... indeed GOD CARES. On behalf of the teachers and students of God Cares Schools, I am honored and humbled to extend our appreciation to the Buyamba Ministry. Thank you so much for standing with us and for not giving up on us; you have reached out to us in many ways, but most importantly, you have prayed for us.
Many schools in Uganda stopped supporting their teachers, even the "Big" private schools. We have heard from some of these teachers that the administration doesn't check on them, and they don't know what their teachers are going through. The teachers were the most affected people as far as workers are concerned. Many teachers in private schools have not been paid since the government temporarily shut down the schools, but the Buyamba ministry has managed to stand with their staff. This act of care is vast and has impacted the Buyamba staff in so many ways. One teacher gave his life to Jesus Christ because Buyamba has shown the love of Christ. Teachers often have many responsibilities. I know of some female teachers who are the breadwinners of their families. Other teachers have extended families looking to them for provision. All of us have to pay rent in our areas of residence, and we couldn't be doing this if we weren't receiving support from Buyamba. The food Buyamba shares with us usually provides for two-three weeks, depending on the family size. This is counted as a blessing, which has motivated teachers and sent them the message that they matter, and that they are in the right place. One teacher gave his life to Jesus Christ because Buyamba has shown the love of Christ. Words can't express how grateful we are, but indeed we are. We bless the Lord for you.
Earlier this week, a teacher in one school in Uganda set himself ablaze because he couldn't keep up with life anymore...he had no means to live. I thank God that none of the staff at God Cares has gone through such despair. God has been so good to us. It reminds us of the time the Israelites were in the desert under the leadership of Moses, but amidst it all, God was so good to them. We are grateful for our beloved sponsors and friends. We also appreciate the Buyamba administration in Uganda, for being faithful stewards because we know very many organizations that have not served their purpose. You have continued taking care of the students, reaching out to them, and giving them support. I was recently talking to one of the students who told me that if it weren't for the food provisions from Buyamba, his family would have died - they were really in a dark place, but God didn't forget them. Peace be with you all. We are praying that the good Lord blesses the works of your hands. May He prosper you all and give you more life. We are grateful for your support. We love you all, and we are proud to be a part of your lives. |
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