My sponsor's words 'carried me for years'

NB: The following content contains references to suicide and could be upsetting and triggering.

A childhood marked by loss

I grew up in rural Eastern Uganda. My parents were teachers and I had dreams, like any child. When I was nine, my mother became seriously ill. After a long and traumatic illness, she died when I was 12.

My father, devastated and jobless, began drinking heavily. My brothers and I would collect him from the roadside, but eventually he left our family. As the eldest, I suddenly became both father and mother to four younger brothers.

'Justice is not for the poor'

Soon after, my uncle arrived - not to help, but to claim our home. He gave us three days to leave.

My church pastor cycled me miles to a lawyer who, after hours of waiting, leaned back and said: “Justice is not for the poor. Find some money, then I’ll see if I can help.”

Within days, we were homeless.

During that season, I had to search for food from dustbins to keep my brothers alive and in school. Some of those moments were so humiliating and frightening that even now it takes courage to speak of them.

I vowed to become a lawyer who defended the poor.

When the church stepped in

Everything changed when Compassion began a partnership with our local church. Two of my brothers and I were registered. I never missed project days - not necessarily because I was committed, but because there was bread, milk, rice, and meat.

A kind woman from our community offered us a place to stay. The church looked after our health and supported us through school. I also began receiving letters from my sponsors – beautifully designed Compassion pages filled with encouragement. They wrote: "John, we’re praying for you." Those words carried me for years.

Losing hope - and finding rescue

After graduating from the programme, I was placed in a technical institute to study plumbing – far from my dream of becoming a lawyer. I felt hopeless. I cried every night and eventually walked into the forest with a rope, ready to end my life. A woman collecting firewood saw me and asked what I was doing. That simple question saved me.

Compassion staff acted immediately. Emmanuel – now Compassion Uganda’s National Director – helped me return to education and arranged care for my brothers. I began to excel and eventually became the top student in my year.

Becoming the advocate I once needed

With the encouragement of my sponsors – and the help of Compassion staff – I went to university to study law.

Today, I am an advocate of the High Court of Uganda, an entrepreneur, and a trustee for Compassion Uganda. My businesses fund education for more than 200 young people, as well as community projects providing renewable energy and safe water. I handle hundreds of cases pro bono, especially for girls who have been exploited. My wife and I also support their counselling and education.

'My life has never been the same'

My sponsors gave, not because they had much, but because they had love. Through them – and through God’s faithfulness – my life was transformed. Today, I have a family of my own, my brothers are thriving, and I am doing what I was born to do – fighting for justice and giving hope to those who feel voiceless.

This article has been published as part of en's 'Updates from the Mission Field' online column, which sees contributions from various mission organisations.

Help and support

If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this story, help is available via the NHS's Mental health support page: www.nhs.uk/mental-health