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.

Alex Kwagala

As the head of a family with four children, I had to pay for school fees, house rent, food clothing, medication, etc. This was a burden since the job I was doing was not bringing in much. I started feeling hurt seeing my children not getting the basic needs of life which the neighbor children were getting...  Read Alex's story

UPDATE - Jan 2010: In order to provide greater income for his family (which includes his wife and four young children), Alex joined a private security firm working in Iraq.  His family has relocated from Kampala to a village some distance from the city; as a result, their fruit and vegetable kiosk has been closed.  The structure has been moved to the Lucky Star School where it will be used as a canteen for the children to buy food and school supplies such as pens, paper, notebooks, and the like.

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 - Jan 2010: Hope continues to work in his videography 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, along with Pastor Frank Mukiliza and JPC Church Council chairman Steven Kakayira, helps implement and monitor Hearts and Hands ministry projects in Uganda.  He plans to begin studying for his B.A. in Community Leadership and Development at Uganda Christian University in 2010.

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 - Jan 2010: Ismail is pursuing his Master of Arts in Urban Ministry at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Boston where he is an excellent student.  He plans to complete his degree in 2010 and then return to ministry in Uganda.  Ismail is 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 - Jan 2010: Esther has completed her Diploma in Business Administration at Kyambogo University in Kampala and plans to continue 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 - Jan 2010: Isaac has completed a certificate program in computer repair and maintenance at the Data Mine School of Technology in Kampala.  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.  Isaac hopes to continue his education and improve his skills with computers and video cameras.

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 - Jan 2010: Juliet is studying hotel and food service administration at the Career Institute in Kampala where she is the top student in her class.  She plans to graduate in July 2010 and then work as a chef in a hotel restaurant.

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 - Jan 2010: Paddy Patrice is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in theology at Auckland Park Theological Seminary in Johannesburg, South Africa.  He is on track to complete his studies in November 2010 and then return 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 - Jan 2010: Immaculate is studying procurement management in Kampala and also volunteering with Uganda Children's Centre, a non-governmental organization that helps orphans and street children in the city's slums.  She plans to finish her academic program in July 2010 and then begin work.

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 - Jan 2010: Phiona completed her studies in travel and tourism with the International Air Transport Association in November 2009.  Since then she has been volunteering with a travel agency where she has just recently been offered a paying job as a travel agent!

Peter Timothy Bazitya

We grew up in the darkest, primitive village, Nkozi Kwaba. We were very poor. Farming was the only occupation. To get a coin was seen as a miracle...   Read Peter's story

UPDATE - Jan 2010: Peter has completed his certificate program in construction management at a vocational training school and has been applying the knowledge he has gained in his own construction work.  He hopes to continue his studies in 2010 and obtain an advanced certificate.

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 - Jan 2010: Under Hearts and Hands’ sponsorship, Steven will complete his B.A. in Community Leadership and Development at Uganda Christian University in January 2010.  He serves as chairman of the JPC Church Council and, together with Pastor Frank Mukiliza and Hope Kalibbala, helps implement and oversee Hearts and Hands ministry projects in Uganda.

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 - Jan 2010: Claire is currently in her first 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 - Jan 2010: Magie attends the Career Institute in Kampala where she is taking a course in project management while working full-time in an office.  She expects to receive her diploma in July 2010 and then obtain a better job.  With the support of Hearts and Hands for Uganda, Magie has also been receiving treatment for a painful skin fungus that is now almost fully cured.