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Afuwa Nabateregga’s Journey with Yamba Hearts for Uganda

At just 18 years old, Afua Nabateregga stands as a shining example of how passion, support, and determination can transform a young life. For the past three years, Afua has been a proud member of the Yamba Hearts Football Club, a program dedicated to empowering girls and women through sport, leadership, and community.

What sparked Afua’s love for football?
“I just like it when I am on the field. It’s my passion, and I really enjoy it so much,” she shares with a bright smile. Football is not just a game for Afua it’s a source of joy and a place where she feels truly alive.

How does playing football make her feel?
Afua explains, “I feel extremely happy. Being on the field helps me forget all life’s challenges. As a young girl, playing football has shown me that this sport isn’t only for men. Girls and women can play it too.” This realization has been empowering for Afua and many of her teammates, breaking down stereotypes and building confidence.

Beyond the game what has football given her?
“Football has helped me make friends, stay fit, and push myself to new levels,” she says. The social connections and physical strength she’s gained have been crucial parts of her growth, both on and off the field.

Looking ahead, Afua’s dreams are big and inspiring:
“I want to become a better football player and build a business around my passion. I also want to support others who are unable to support themselves, maybe through football,” she shares with determination.

Afua’s story reflects the core of Yamba Hearts for Uganda’s mission to empower young people, especially girls, to rise above challenges and build brighter futures. Through sports, education, and community support, Yamba Hearts creates opportunities that go far beyond the field.

We are proud to walk alongside Afua and many others as they chase their dreams and break new ground. Her journey is just beginning, and with continued support, the possibilities are endless.

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How One Act of Support Sparked a Lifelong Mission to Help Others

Growing up, my life was shaped by loss and resilience. I was the seventh child in a household of nine siblings. Tragically, I lost both my parents while still in primary school. Overnight, my childhood shifted our home became child-headed, and the weight of survival pressed heavily on us. My education was not a given; it depended entirely on the kindness of others.

During my early years, I was fortunate to receive support from the charity Terre Des Hommes-Mado, which helped me through primary school and into secondary education, backing me up to Senior Six. This support was a lifeline, but my path was far from easy.

While volunteering as a cook and tour guide in Kampala with the Institute for Field Research Expedition (IFRE), I poured my heart into every task. It was there that a fellow volunteer noticed my determination and passion for helping others. Impressed by my hard work and vision, she offered to support my return to school. That kindness was transformative it enabled me to attend university and ultimately earn a degree in Social Work from Uganda Martyrs University, Nkozi.

With my degree in hand, I was ready to give back. I followed my dream of supporting my community and began laying bricks by hand over 70,000 of them. The work was grueling, but every brick was laid with love and hope. It was during this time that I connected with Kelse Blaise Konneda. Together, we brainstormed how to build not just a physical structure, but an organization that would address the deepest challenges facing our community.

Yamba Hearts was born from this vision a ripple of kindness that started with one person’s support, grew through shared passion, and blossomed into a movement changing countless lives. Every brick we laid was more than construction; it was a promise that no child would have to walk the same lonely path I did. This journey reminds us all: one act of kindness can spark a wave of hope that transforms generations.