My story starts in the slums of Banda Achoil Quarters where I grew up.  My parents were killed in the northern Uganda war that was led by Joseph Kony with his rebels known as the LRA (Lord’s Resistance Army). My aunt and uncle were able to flee with me and some of my other relatives.  Growing up in the slums, we used to mainly rely on aid from US world food programs.  Life was not the best, but we slowly managed to get by.  My aunt and uncle had to work in the rock quarry to crush rocks all day so that they would be able to feed us and try to pay for our school fees.  There were days when we had to go to sleep hungry because there was really nothing.  My uncle tried to enroll me in school but I would always get chased back home because we didn’t pay.  I missed most of my school days.  Sometimes he would try to teach me a few things so I wouldn’t feel left behind or sad.   He was taking care of me and 7 other orphans at the time.  He tried what he could to keep us in school, but failed.  I didn’t attend school until I was 10 years old.  In 2006, an American lady by the name of Tomi Mills came to the slums.  I was so happy to see her.  I knew in my heart that her coming was the beginning of a change in my life.  She started teaching all of the slum children character virtues, bible verses and so many character training games.  I volunteered to be a leader and help with the children to make sure they listened and behaved during the lessons.  One Saturday I asked her if she could help pay for my school fees as I had been out of school for so long because my aunt and uncle couldn’t afford it.  She told me that she didn’t pay for children' s school fees.  I then asked her if I could at least come live with her.  She told me she only took in younger children, not 10 year olds like me.  I felt broken and disappointed, but I didn’t give up.  I remember telling my friends about it and they laughed and said I was wasting my time.  I prayed to God that night and told my aunt and uncle that I want to go live with the muzungu (white person) who does the Saturday program.  They told me to not have too much hope.  The next Saturday she came back and told me if my aunt and uncle could get legal letters from the local leaders in the slums I could go live with her, but I should not expect to get school fees because that is not what she does.  I told her I was OK with that arrangement.  I rushed home and told my aunt and uncle. I was just so happy.  At first, they didn’t want to let me go, but I told them living with the muzungu, I will learn a lot even if I didn’t go to school.  I will learn many skills that can help me later on in life.  They finally agreed.  The next Saturday I waited impatiently.  I had to wash my dress and be ready to leave.

She finally arrived.  I couldn’t wait for the program to end so that we could leave.  Eventually we finished the classes and left.  I was welcomed in by maids who were at the home.  I then met Proscovia, Esther and baby Eron.  I was so happy, however it felt strange because everything was so new to me.  The first few days were very tough.  I missed home.  I missed my relatives.  No matter how much I missed my old life, there was something that kept telling me this is the beginning of something new.  I won’t lie.  There were times I begged and cried to go back to the slums because the new life felt so new and challenging.  The maids, Jane and Deborah, would sit me down and tell me to look on the brighter side of life.  I would get an education, have 3 meals a day and an actual bed rather than sleeping on a mat.  I started feeling bad and started engaging in more engaging activities like reading and playing board games.  These helped get me mind off wanting to go back to the slums.  In 2007, Tomi told me she was going to enroll me in school because I was older than the other kids and couldn’t be homeschooled.  I was so happy and I couldn’t wait to start school.  I eventually started school but my grades were not the best since I had been out of school for so long.  I had to repeat a class to catch up.  In 2009 Tomi hosted a group of volunteers from Austin, TX.  A girl took interest in me and offered to pay for all of my high school until I graduated.  Lauren’s contribution was like an answered prayer.  I was filled with joy because I knew my school days were completely covered.  I didn’t have to ever worry.  Despite her mom suffering from cancer at the lime, Lauren saw to it that I lacked nothing at school.  She even flew to Uganda to visit me at school and encourage me to work hard and be someone in life.  In 2014, I graduated high school and decided to help Tomi and her non-profit.  The love and support I was given made me realize I wanted nothing more than to give back to the community.  We helped the less fortunate by preparing lessons and games to teach to the children in the slums.  Whenever volunteers gave me new clothes, I would share with the people who were lacking back in the slums.  For years Tomi and I ran programs in the slums whereby we fed 500+ children, donated toys and clothing and administered medical care like cleaning and dressing wounds of the children.  We had a women’s program whereby we taught hygiene, morals and virtues and crafts to the ladies in the slums.  At times we partnered with other organizations like Mercy for Mommas and distributed momma kits to ladies who were almost giving birth and couldn’t afford it.

I felt fulfilled.  I knew this was what I would need to do with my life.  In 2016-17 the organization was able to raise herds and bought land in Mityana.  The aim was to build a self-sustainable village that would change and impact the lives of the people who were in the slums and wanted a different life in a new place.  The government of Uganda under national housing had told people in the slums that their land belonged to the government and at some point they would need to relocate.  Therefore, the organization saw that I needed to purchase land and relocate some of the families we were working with for years.  In 2017, we relocated 3 families on the land.  However, during the rainy season we started encountering challenges like flooding.  At first we thought it was a one-time incident, however as time went on the challenge lasted.  I involved the government officials to try to get help.  They told me we had purchased a wetland and therefore couldn’t do much but plant herbs or do fish farming.  In 2019 COVID hit and we lost many donors.  We were not able to maintain most of our programs, such as sponsorship for children and monthly support for the families.  It was at this time that things started falling apart.  I was constantly depressed because I felt like I was losing most of my dreams.  Many of the families we were working with left.  Tomi left for the US and I tried everything to try to keep the NGO aloft, but I failed.  In 2023, the government tried to take over the land claiming it to be a wetland.  I felt crushed because I didn’t know where else to go.  I didn’t want to take the kids and the families (relatives) back where they came from.  We had become family together.  I just didn’t want to see everything shatter, but regardless many things were beyond my control.  I remember I was presented with alternative land in Nakasongola, but again ran into roadblocks that made everything look impossible.

I told my friend, Roy, I think the reason the organization is failing is because we are not where the Lord wants us to be.  I immediately told Ryan and Jen that I would like us to relocate to the north and start a new organization.  I didn’t want my dream to end with the dissolution of Tomi’s organization.  I acknowledge  it helped nurture and mold me into who I am today, but realize I can’t let my dream die with it.  We both (The Ramaekers and I) prayed and the Lord placed Micah 4:4 on our hearts.  Thus the beginning of Fig Tree and Vine.  It reignited a dream because in a short time frame we were able to secure land in Gulu, not far from the city, where we can have sustainable projects and impact the community in ways the Lord will lead.  

We were welcomed and are loved by the community and grateful I was given a second chance to live my dream to give back to the community in any way.  Our goal is to create a self-sustainable village and build a school where children will be given an opportunity for education, which is still a big challenge Uganda.  Eventually, we will have medical facilities that will provide medical care to the community.  I’m truly grateful that we have started this journey and pray that we meet more people along the way who will join hands with us to see the dream become a reality.