The Founder

I was born in 1990 in a family of 5 children. I am the last born. Unfortunately, my father and mother divorced when I was not yet born.

My mother re-married when I was still in her womb. When I was born my stepfather had no interest in me and told my mother to take me back to my biological father when I was only 6 months.

I was taken to my father and stayed with him and my stepmother until I was one and a half years old. The situation was not good because I was being mistreated by my stepmother. My paternal aunt came and took me to her home in Masaka when I had jiggers in my feet and even in the hands!

When I was 4 years, my cousin came and took me to help her and do household duties including babysitting, cooking, fetching water, and even looking after animals.

I stayed there until I was 7. Another cousin of mine, a teacher, sympathized with me and took me to school. As she was a primary teacher, I was with her up to primary seven.

However, she had a family of six children and she could not afford my secondary education. I pay tribute to her, for had it not been for her kindness, I wouldn’t have acquired primary education. I passed primary seven very well though I did not continue with my studies then.

I decided to go to Kampala (Uganda’s Capital City) to look for a job. I was employed by a certain family as a house girl to be paid fifteen thousand Uganda shillings per month. By then I was 14 years old and I tried to save money for school fees.

Then after 2 years, I came back to my aunt. While I was there, I heard that there was a school in kiwangala, Masaka District that was helping the needy in paying school fees.

I decided to go back to school though the family members remarked that I was fighting a losing battle. I was enrolled in senior one in that school but the school did not have a boarding section. I used the money I had saved to pay for house rent, buy food, clothes, and other basic needs. Within a year, all the money was used up.

The situation became worse and I was forced to go to the village to work for money and food so that I could pay for house rent and meet other expenses.

One day, while I was in class, I thought of giving up studying because my shoes had worn out and my fellow students were laughing at me. During the rainy season, the shoes were shapeless and they could be easily noticed.

Because I was in perpetual thoughts, I was no longer attentive. Our English language teacher, Madam Suzi noticed me and asked me what was wrong with me. Instead of replying, I shed tears.

She was so concerned that she took me out of the classroom so that I could explain everything to her secretly. I told her my trouble and she cheered me up and promised me that my problem was going to be solved. She comforted me and told me she was going to talk to her parents to sponsor me. From that day, my suffering came to an end.

The sponsor started paying school fees for me up to university. The family cared for me so much that I did not lack anything. They loved me and treated me as if I was their own child. I forgot the plight in which I had been and I passed well and graduated.

I know what poverty means and I feel that children who are in a situation similar to the one I was in, need help, not only money but also moral support and encouragement.

Basing on my background, my husband and I decided to start a nonprofit organization, “Love and Support for Children Uganda (LSCU)” to help the needy and make a difference in communities.

In spite of economic difficulties, you can get out of the predicament with the help of your friends, volunteers and GOD who directs your actions. Do not lose hope, for no condition is permanent.