What a Difference Sponsors Make!

What a difference sponsorship makes for a young woman who desperately needs an education to make a safe and self-supporting life for herself. Irene, at age 20, has been through a lot, but now is studying for her A level by the Cambridge education standard. (That's equivalent to a grade 12 year in North American schools). Irene is studying English Literature, Economics, History and Christian Religious Education.

Irene's goal is to go on to study either law or mass communication in university after her Senior 6 Year (or grade 13). Because a couple in the United Kingdom has paid up her school fees and living expenses (that's ₤100 each term or Semester), Irene can begin to dream again that such a future is possible for her.

Irene was born on the slopes of Mt. Elgon in Mbale, Uganda, to a very young couple who were loosely living together. Her father died when she was yet a baby, and her mother immediately abandoned her. No one knows whether her mother is still alive. She was supported by her paternal grandparents, who sent Irene to the government sponsored Primary school. (UPE).

However, at about age 12 she could not continue and decided to go work as a house maid for rich people. Even though the pay was minimal, Irene managed to save some money. After two years she was able to pay her own way to secondary, or high school. Unfortunately, her savings were only enough for two years, not the full four years of high school. On top of that one of her grandparents had died. She would have to look to relatives for help, or go to work again.

Irene chose to move in with a distant aunt in Kampala. Not a good move! Her aunt saw a chance to make some quick money, and nearly succeeded in selling Irene to a witchdoctor for ritual sacrifice to appease the spirits in a posh building in Kampala. Irene made a narrow escape with her life.

Irene ended up living on the streets with girls much younger than herself. She only lasted two weeks before she founded a job as a house maid again. Here the new challenge was the sexual advances of her employer's husband. She endured the pressure from the predator for a while and saved enough for one more year of school fees. She went to the Mbale secondary school for her third year of secondary education.

As Irene sought a new job as a maid to earn money for her fourth year of education, she met a young soldier with the Uganda Peoples Defense Forces. He promised to help her out, even to go on to university, upon condition that she would marry him later. Although Irene did not love him, she seriously considered his offer. Finally her craving for education made her yield.

This soldier added another condition; they were to live together so that he could coach her in her subjects and home work. Again she consented. Unfortunately, he did not keep any of his promises. No sooner had Irene moved in with him, that he turned her into a sex slave.

Baby Sandra was born (now two years old). But the soldier, common-law husband battered Irene and treated her disgracefully.

Irene fled one evening, with her little girl, and with the help of another soldier's concubine. They arrived in Soroti past midnight, and the only place Irene could think of to ask for help was a church. She was pointed to the Pentecostal Assemblies of God connected to Revival Time Ministry, but the night watchman there was suspicious and would not let her in. He did yield when she asked to talk to any pastor or adult in the guesthouse adjacent to the church.

By God's grace, Pastor Isaac Oyako was the only guest in the guesthouse that night. He came, when the watchman called for his assistance, and listened to Irene's story and he believed her. He led her to a saving knowledge of Jesus as her Saviour, and commended her to the care of the local church leaders. Together with Pastor Isaac, they sought to make arrangements for Irene to continue her education.

Now God brought other people into Irene's life to help her. One brother gave a one-time gift of $300 US, which paid for her initiatl school fees, and provided clothing and milk for her baby, while another woman allowed Irene and Sandra to live with her.

The Jordan family in Manchester, UK, gave Irene a great big help when they cleared a bank loan that the soldier/predator had taken in Irene's name, and they contributed to her education with a monthly gift of £20. Then, at a crucial time when this family pulled out, God brought forward another couple, also in the UK, who provided so that Irene could complete her O' levels.

Since then, yet another couple of stepped in to send £100 each term, (setting aside £25/month). We hope this can continue for two years.

Pastor Isaac and Christine Oyako have welcomed Irene into the family as a sixth child. Irene finally has a sense of belonging and protection.

Irene is determined to study and excel just like the other Oyako children, who all value education too. When she graduates, Irene is sure to find good work and make a decent living for herself and her daughter. She is working hard at her studies and learning also to trust God to meet her needs, and be her great Protector and Heavenly Father.

We have a number of other girls also waiting eagerly for miraculous provisions for their education. Some of them have very sad stories of their past and the hardships they had to face. The same mis-adventures that happened to Irene can happen so easily to them too. Please, would you be willing to be a catalyst for God's love and provision of scholarship money for one of these girls?

They will be ever so grateful! They will also work diligently to make your investment in them pay off with the worthy, productive life they shall live as a result. We will trust God to reward you as only He can!

Go to the index of Profiles of the girls waiting for sponsors, read them, and make your choice.

Note: We are suggesting a bit more than $200 - more like $210 per semester, to cover the PayPal fees, etc., for the girls wanting to get their secondary education. For those ready for university, we suggest $620 per semester, for the same reasons.