You might remember the little story of the "banana boy;" a young boy in Uganda who I became friends with a few months ago. (His story is titled "Fruit of the Spirit" if you'd like to read his story in how he stole my heart.) Not only did this kid steal my heart, but I received many emails from friends and family at home telling me how he touched their hearts in some way. After I posted, expressing my desiree to somehow get this amazingly brilliant child back in school, I was contacted by two sisters in the US who eagerly wanted to make an impact and pay for Ashiraf's schooling. I was overwhelmed with joy! I spent my last full day in Uganda arranging Ashiraf's schooling...
Every Ugandan I introduced Ashiraf to expressed to me how important it would be to get this 8 year old back in school. He's whitty. He's brilliant. And most of all he has a spirit that screams determination to change the world. A good friend happily agreed to do whatever he could to get this boy back in school. This intailed visiting with Ashiraf's step mother, a Muslim women who spoke no English, visiting the school where Ashiraf was previously enrolled, and spending the day going back and forth from Walukuba to Jinja with 3 people packed on one boda (motor cycle taxi.) But by the end of the day, we ALL went to bed with a smile on our faces. School fees had been paid thanks to the love of "strangers" in the US, whose hearts were touched and tugged by the Holy spirit to act in even the simplist of ways to help one of God's children on the other side of the world. Every time I think about it I am overwhelmed with joy & love. The $200 donated not only put Ashiraf back in school, but paid for his books, and a meal plan (dinner had been his only meal every day.)
Ashiraf's school term ended after I returned home. He still sells bananas after school a few days a week. My friend is able to catch up with him from time to time so I get a frequent update on how Ashiraf is doing... out of a class of 83 students, my favorite little banana boy finished the term as #3 in his entire class!!! Tears form every time I tell someone this. Lol I'm like a proud mama who can't wait to see what becomes of this kid and how God will use him to impact Uganda.
Don't ever think that you can't make an impact. Your small donation, your prayers, your fundraisers, they make a difference. He hasn't called all of us to go to foreign lands to spread the love of Jesus, so I am happy & excited to work as an ambassador for my community. God is still working y'all and I know it won't be long until I'm back with Ashiraf and all the other beautiful children of Uganda.
Every Ugandan I introduced Ashiraf to expressed to me how important it would be to get this 8 year old back in school. He's whitty. He's brilliant. And most of all he has a spirit that screams determination to change the world. A good friend happily agreed to do whatever he could to get this boy back in school. This intailed visiting with Ashiraf's step mother, a Muslim women who spoke no English, visiting the school where Ashiraf was previously enrolled, and spending the day going back and forth from Walukuba to Jinja with 3 people packed on one boda (motor cycle taxi.) But by the end of the day, we ALL went to bed with a smile on our faces. School fees had been paid thanks to the love of "strangers" in the US, whose hearts were touched and tugged by the Holy spirit to act in even the simplist of ways to help one of God's children on the other side of the world. Every time I think about it I am overwhelmed with joy & love. The $200 donated not only put Ashiraf back in school, but paid for his books, and a meal plan (dinner had been his only meal every day.)
Ashiraf's school term ended after I returned home. He still sells bananas after school a few days a week. My friend is able to catch up with him from time to time so I get a frequent update on how Ashiraf is doing... out of a class of 83 students, my favorite little banana boy finished the term as #3 in his entire class!!! Tears form every time I tell someone this. Lol I'm like a proud mama who can't wait to see what becomes of this kid and how God will use him to impact Uganda.
Don't ever think that you can't make an impact. Your small donation, your prayers, your fundraisers, they make a difference. He hasn't called all of us to go to foreign lands to spread the love of Jesus, so I am happy & excited to work as an ambassador for my community. God is still working y'all and I know it won't be long until I'm back with Ashiraf and all the other beautiful children of Uganda.
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