My name is Nalubega Patience. I am in Senior Two at Victorian High School, and I live in Katawi with my mom and my brother. At home, we are only three, and my mom is the one who takes care of us.

My mother is a single parent. She works in a government company and tries her best, but her income is tiny. Most times, it only covers food, leaving nothing for school fees, medical bills, or other needs. As a result, my brother and I occasionally remain at home when she doesn’t pay our fees. Life is not easy, but my mom works very diligently to keep us going.

I’m not very knowledgeable about my father—only his name. He has never been part of my life, so my mother has carried this responsibility alone.

Struggles and Experiences

Growing up has been tough. When I fall sick, we sometimes cannot afford hospital care. At times, my mother just buys simple medicine, but it is not always enough. I feel sad when I stay home because of sickness or unpaid school fees, and sometimes even worse when I see other children being cared for in ways I cannot experience.

One of the hardest times was when I had to miss school because of fees. Staying home made me feel discouraged, and I could see the pain in my mother’s eyes as she struggled to provide.

Finding Faith at Afaayo

In 2023, I joined Afaayo Africa Ministry. At first, I was scared—I didn’t know how to pray, because in my home we only prayed by watching people on TV. But when I joined church, I learned how to pray, how to read the Bible, and how to speak boldly before others.

I first heard about Afaayo through a church member, Naseje, who passed by our home carrying her Bible. She told me about the ministry and encouraged me to visit. The first day I came, I was too shy to sit in the front, so I stayed behind. However, the worship team’s singing, particularly the song “Your Goodness,” deeply touched my heart.

Not long after, during a youth service, Pastor Brian prayed for me. That day, I gave my life to Jesus Christ. I felt a deep joy I had never experienced before. Since then, my health has improved, and I have left behind worldly music and habits that did not honor God. My life has changed, and I now live with peace and hope in Christ.

Church Life and Support

At Afaayo, I have found friends like Tricia, who even taught me how to sing in the choir. I have also received practical help. During holidays, Afaayo has blessed my family with food packages, and by God’s grace, they have even helped to pay my school fees.

The day I learned that Afaayo was going to support my education, I could hardly believe it. When they confirmed it, I was so happy that I screamed with joy. My mother, who had often discouraged me from attending church, was amazed. She told me, “Now I see you must continue with Afaayo, because God is truly working there.”

Dreams for the Future

I am working hard in school because I want to become a lawyer. I have seen how some lawyers take bribes and defend what is not right, but I want to be different. I want to stand for the truth, fight against corruption, and defend the rights of those who cannot defend themselves.

What I Love About Afaayo

What I love most about Afaayo Africa Ministry is the love and kindness. Everyone is welcome, no matter where they come from. We pray together, serve together, and even share in God’s blessings like food and support.

I also love Pastor Grace, who is kind, nurturing, and loves young people, and Pastor Michael, whose preaching has taught me to put God first in everything. They have treated me like their child, encouraged me to serve in church, and helped me grow in my faith.

Conclusion

My journey has not been easy, but through my mother’s hard work and the support of Afaayo Africa Ministry, I have hope for the future. I am thankful for what God has done in my life, and I believe He is preparing me to become a lawyer who will bring justice and truth to my community.

Child Profile: Nalubega Patience

Name: Nalubega Patience
Age: (Not specified, Senior Two student)
School: Victorian High School
Residence: Katawi, Uganda
Church: Afaayo Africa Ministry

Family Background

• Patience lives with her motherand younger brother.
• Her mother is a single parent, working in a government company with a minimal income.
• Most of her mother’s earnings go to food, leaving little for school fees, medical bills, or other needs.
• Patience has grown up without her father, knowing only his name.

Challenges:

• She frequently misses school due to unpaid fees.
• She faces limited access to medical care when sick.
• Experiences sadness when comparing her situation with others who have more support.

Faith Journey

Patience joined Afaayo Africa Ministry in 2023. At first, she was shy and unsure how to pray. But through church, she learned:

• How to pray and read the Bible.
• How to speak boldly before others.
• She learned about the power of worship and the presence of God.

Salvation Experience:

• Naseje, a member, invited her and encouraged her to attend.
• During a youth service, Pastor Brian prayed for her, and she gave her life to Christ.
• Since then, her life has changed—she found peace, left behind worldly habits, and her health improved.

Church Life and Support

• Serves in the choir, trained by her friend Tricia.
• Pastor Grace and Pastor Michael provide her with spiritual encouragement and mentorship.
• She has benefited from receiving food packages during holidays.
• By God’s grace, Afaayo has also supported her with school fees—a moment that brought immense joy and encouraged her mother to trust God’s work through the ministry.

Dreams and Aspirations

Patience dreams of becoming a lawyer.

• She desires to fight for justice, defend the weak, and stand against corruption.
• Her vision is to be a different kind of lawyer—truthful, God-fearing, and an advocate for righteousness.

What She Loves About Afaayo

• The love and kindnessshown to everyone, regardless of their background.
• Unity in prayer, service, and sharing blessings.
• The nurturing guidance of Pastor Grace and the inspiring preaching of Pastor Michael.
• I feel a strong sense of belonging to a family rooted in Christ.

Personal Reflection

“My journey has not been easy, but through my mother’s hard work and the support of Afaayo Africa Ministry, I have hope for the future. I thank God for what He has done in my life, and I believe He is preparing me to become a lawyer who will bring justice and truth to my community.” – Nalubega Patience