Jamil Kisubi

Jamil is currently in Senior 4 at Royal College in Makindye (near Jesus Power Church) where he is studying for his O-Levels.  He is an excellent student, making first in his class in English.  Jamil is active in JPC as a member of the worship team; he is also involved in sports ministry activities.  An outstanding athlete, Jamil was recently selected as a member of the Ugandan team for an Ultimate Frisbee competition in Kenya.  He has previously volunteered with the Uganda Special Olympics team which competed in China.

Richard Mugisha

Richard is 17 years old and a musician and technician at Jesus Power Church.  He is in Senior 4 and studying for his O-Levels at Crested Secondary School in Kampala.  His favorite subjects are science and math.  Richard likes football and is a big Liverpool FC supporter!

Jennifer Nakayenga

Jennifer is the niece of Phiona Nantembe (see below) and one of 9 children in her family.  She is 12 years old and active in the youth program at JPC.  Jennifer is in Primary 4 at Kibuye Primary School, where her favorite subjects are English and Social Studies.

Agnes Nnanozi

Agnes is 22 and the oldest of 6 children.  She is currently pursuing a Diploma in Accounting and Finance at Kyambogo University in Kampala and hopes to be an accountant with a business or an accounting firm.  Although Agnes attends lectures 6 days a week, she manages to find time to help clean Jesus Power Church on Saturdays.

James Ssebaduka

James is 21 years of age and has 6 brothers and 4 sisters.  He keeps busy with the worship and drama teams at Jesus Power Church.  After being out of school for several years due to financial problems, James is now pursuing his A-Levels (Senior 6) at Makindye Secondary School, which is near JPC.  He hopes to continue his studies in the field of tourism and hotel management.

Samuel Sserwada

Sam, a 23-year-old keyboard player at Jesus Power Church, has 16 brothers and sisters.  He has returned to school after an extended absence and is now is Senior 6 at Nakivubo Education Centre in Kampala, where he is preparing for his A-Level exams.  Sam would like to pursue a career in music production.

Hope Kalibbala

I was a jobless man at one time but because of the support from Brother Todd, today I run my own business which is helping others as they learn what I do.   Read Hope's story

UPDATE - December 2010: Hope continues to work in his videography and photography business which is thriving.  He also trains other church members in video and photography techniques to help them develop their skills in this field.  Hope serves as chairman of the JPC Finance Committee and helps implement and monitor Hearts and Hands ministry projects in Uganda.  In July 2010 he began studying for his B.A. in Community Leadership and Development at Uganda Christian University.

Ismail Katende

My life almost hit rock bottom as I had given up hope of ever making it in life. There I was in Uganda, nearly 29 years of age, without a job, a house, a wife or children. I did not even have friends because they had deserted me, for to them I was a sinking boat and they did not want to associate with me...   Read Ismail's story

UPDATE - December 2010: Ismail has completed the degree requirements for a Master of Arts in Urban Ministry at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Boston.  He plans to continue his studies in youth ministry and then return to Uganda.  Ismail has been active in ministry at Trinity Covenant Church.

Esther Nabulya

My dad died when I was still a young child at the age of 4 years, so even finishing high school was a challenge. I would often be the last to pay my fees. They would send me back home because mum couldn’t give me the full amount to pay at once...   Read Esther's story


UPDATE - December 2010: Esther has completed her Diploma in Business Administration at Kyambogo University in Kampala and is now continuing her studies towards a B.A. degree.  Sponsored by Hearts and Hands for Uganda, in December 2009 Esther attended a 12-day Global Student Leadership program in Malawi where she developed valuable business and leadership skills.

Isaac Semakula

I am a minister serving God in Jesus Power Church, Uganda, where I am the Chief Technician, responsible for operating and taking care of the church's audio/visual equipment...   Read Isaac's story

UPDATE - December 2010: Isaac has completed a certificate program in computer repair and maintenance at the Data Mine School of Technology in Kampala and is now pursuing an advanced certificate in the same field.  He manages the technical equipment at Jesus Power Church, serves as a technology consultant for the JPC internet café, and sometimes assists Hope with his videography business.  

Juliet Bonitor Nantongo

I dropped out of school after completing my secondary level and stayed home for four years because I did not have tuition money. I seemed useless to my family because I was not even working class...   Read Juliet's story

UPDATE - December 2010: In August, Juliet graduated from the hotel and food service administration program at the Career Institute in Kampala where she was one of the top students in her class.  She now works as a chef in a private residence.

Paddy Patrice Walakira

My mum has six children and my dad had 22 children.  I was the youngest in my family so it was hard to get the necessities of life. When my dad died in 2000, it became harder for my mom. I could not get a job because I was not qualified...   Read Paddy's story

UPDATE - December 2010: Last month, Paddy Patrice completed his bachelor’s degree in theology at Auckland Park Theological Seminary in Johannesburg, South Africa.  He has now returned to ministry at Jesus Power Church.

Immaculate Kobusingye

Due to financial problems, my dad was not able to pay for my education. I tried to get a job but unfortunately they needed people with more education than I had. I was really sad and desperate because I used to admire those with a better life. I cried to the Lord that He would come to my rescue...   Read Immaculate's story

UPDATE - December 2010: Immaculate graduated from Career Institute in August with a diploma in procurement management.  She is working with Uganda Children's Centre, a non-governmental organization that helps orphans and street children in the city's slums. 

Phiona Nantembe

I lost my dad in December 2003. He died in a car crash on his way home. If this wasn’t enough, I lost my beloved big sister who raised me and was supporting me in school...   Read Phiona's story

UPDATE - December 2010: Phiona completed her studies in travel and tourism with the International Air Transport Association in November 2009.  She volunteered with a travel agency in Kampala where she was soon offered a paying job as a travel agent!  Phiona is now pursuing an advanced certificate that will enable her to obtain a supervisory position.

Steven Kakayira

I finished a Diploma in Mechanical and Production Engineering in one of the colleges of Uganda. I started looking for a job but for over four years got none...   Read Steven's story

UPDATE - December 2010: Under Hearts and Hands’ sponsorship, Steven received his B.A. in Community Leadership and Development at Uganda Christian University in July 2010.  In September, he began his studies at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Boston where he is pursuing a masters degree in Educational Ministries.

Claire Nasirumbi

I was an orphan who lost my father when I was 10; my mother has an incurable disease that makes her sometimes weak. After my father died we were forced out of our home...   Read Claire's story

UPDATE - December 2010: Claire, an excellent student, is now in her second year of studies at the Kampala University School of Nursing where she is receiving a combination of academic instruction and practical skills courses.  She plans to complete her studies in 2012 and then work as a midwife nurse in a hospital.

Magie Nanteza

I was born into a poor family of seven children of which I was the youngest. I never got the chance to see my Daddy because he was killed in the war. I never had fatherly love and I still miss it...    Read Magie's story

UPDATE - December 2010: Magie received her diploma in project management from the Career Institute in Kampala.  She works full-time in an office and hopes to obtain a better job in the near future.  With the support of Hearts and Hands for Uganda, Magie has also been receiving treatment for a painful skin fungus.