From Struggle to Hope: Christine’s Story of Resilience and Transformation

My story began when my father left me and my two siblings with only our mother, who struggled to provide for us. In 2018, life became unbearable, and my mother, overwhelmed by the responsibilities, deserted us. My grandmother came and took us in, but she was unable to support my education. Eventually, she gave me up to my paternal uncle, who promised to pay my fees.

While living with my paternal uncle in Kampala, I endured a lot. His wife subjected me to harsh conditions. I would be made to do numerous household chores, which caused me to arrive late for school each day. In the evenings, when I returned home, there were piles of clothes waiting for me to wash. By the time I was done with the laundry, it would already be midnight. This affected my performance at school so badly that I was almost discontinued. Despite all the challenges, I persevered because I truly wanted to study.

The situation worsened when my uncle sent away his wife and forced me to become the housemaid. I had to do everything—from getting his children ready for school in the morning to cooking meals for them in the evening. When he saw that I was not bothered by the heavy workload and was still attending school, he decided to stop paying my fees, claiming he didn’t have enough money and that his own children needed support.

At this point, I felt completely low. I thought this was the end of my education. I envied other children whose parents were able to support them without struggle. Realizing that my uncle was no longer willing to support me, I decided to escape and returned to my village. I stayed there for several months, unsure of how I would continue my education. Then, one of my distant relatives, who had secured a job with Te-Kworo Foundation, learned about the scholarship opportunity. He contacted my grandmother and connected me with Kworo High School, where I was offered a scholarship.

I joined the school in Term 2 of 2022, and since then, my life has completely changed. The school environment is very welcoming, and the girls, teachers, and staff are all supportive. I love the school not just for its academic focus, but for the spiritual support it offers, which has brought healing to my heart.

Since joining the school, my life has not been the same. I am no longer burdened with the pain of emotional abuse and the weight of being a housemaid. I now see a future filled with hope. I am determined to sit for my Senior Four exams and pass with good grades, with hopes of joining a professional course.

Unlike before, I have learned to smile again. My heart is filled with joy because of the scholarship opportunity I’ve received. Life has become meaningful again. I know there are many girls who are going through similar struggles, and I pray that God opens doors for them, just as He did for me, so that their futures can be secured.