The Story of Kubyabwe Elizabeth by Denis Wandera

Every child dreams of being born in a world where his/her parents would love them and teach them to follow “the right ways.” A world perhaps where they would grow to be a source of joy to their family and experience their love and affirmation. This was the kind of environment that Elizabeth desired to be born and raised into. But her hopes were nipped in the bud when, at one month old, she lost her dad under mysterious circumstances. That was a big blow to her mother who had just brought her sixth bundle of joy into the world. 

Elizabeth’s mom narrates a wrecking ordeal of her husband slipping into coma a week after delivery! He developed acute cough and cold. Attempts by doctors to save his life were futile! Three weeks later, he lost the battle of life.In the community where Elizabeth was born, orphans often find it hard to “take their place” in society because of the harsh cultural realities. The extended families often grab property from them and leave the widow with barely anything to hang on.

For every storm, there’s a rainbow. Great entrepreneurial minds are tested in times of scarcity. Elizabeth’s mom did not wait to lurch in self-pity for her fallen husband yet she had six children to take care of. She hatched a business idea of making pancakes and sold to school children for breakfast

On a good day, she made a turnover of three dollars. She saved one dollar everyday which helped her send Elizabeth’s siblings to school. Because of little resources, they studied in turns, often skipping some semesters because she couldn’t bear the brunt of tuition on her own.
Our hopes for the future give us momentum. They keep us moving forward through the inevitable hard times, the discouragement, and the despair.

Remaining positive and motivated when her burden felt unbearable was undoubtedly difficult. She encountered challenges that initially seemed insurmountable. While she waited for a solution, faith was all she had to hang on to, and sometimes simply trusting that there would be an answer got her through those darkest moments

The family received a boost when BU registered Elizabeth into the program. “It was a sigh of relief!” Her mom said. “I never dreamed my daughter would go to a good school.” She added, referring to York academy in Bugiri town where Elizabeth attends middle school. Everything in the family changed from despair to HOPE through Elizabeth’s sponsorship. It’s amazing how a sponsor’s prayers, letters, and support from a cross a different time-zone can transform the life of one child and her family.