Renting out the assembly hall is one way God Cares School can earn money and work towards sustainability, so this was an encouraging sight as there were buses of students still arriving and filing into the hall for the conference.

While the team was disappointed that Chapel would not take place in the assembly hall (because it is a lovely place to sit) God was up to something much bigger than expected. Sam Byakika, the Chaplin at GCHS, shared an encouraging message of boldness through the story of Elijah and Elisha.

This young girl found hope ... she found salvation at God Cares School, and now she can be an ambassador in her school! I am confident that God Cares Schools is a place where the Lord dwells, and every student, teacher, staff, and visitor who steps on the grounds can genuinely know that God Cares.

-Melissa Carlson
Buyamba Team of July 2019

Susan Kwagala is currently enrolled at Africa Renewal University, pursuing a degree in Child Development.

Thanks to support from Christian Foundation of the West, Susan's tuition needs were covered for her first year of school along with nine other women. The video below shares the student's hearts for Uganda and how they  are being empowered to one day impact Uganda.

About Melanie Wells

A native Texan, Melanie Wells is the author of When the Day of Evil Comes and The Soul Hunter. A graduate of Southern Methodist University, Melanie holds masters degrees from Our Lady of the Lake University and Dallas Theological Seminary. She has taught at the graduate level at both institutions, has been in private practice as a counselor since 1992, and is the founder and director of LifeWorks counseling associates in Dallas, Texas. Melanie lives in Dallas with her dog, Gunner, who wishes she wouldn’t spend so much time at her computer.

Melanie Wells is a long time sponsor through Buyamba with the heart to give back and the talent to write. Right now she is donating ALL the profits from sales of ALL three of her books.
Thank you Melanie!

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.