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.