1 Names: Sonko Stephen. Status: University student. Age: 24 years. Gender: Male. Subject: My testimony: When God wants to lift you-up, you face challenges Preamble: I am Sonko Stephen aged 24 years, a student from Kamuli District in Eastern Uganda. Currently, I pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work and Social Administration at Kampala International University (KIU). Background: Growing up in Busoga, Kamuli district, I have seen first-hand experience the situations faced by my community-challenges like abject poverty, limited access to social services, and youth unemployment. These experiences have shaped and driven me to pursue a degree that will equip me with the knowledge, skills and tools to make a real impact in life and the community. Impact of education on my life: Education has opened my eyes to the complexities of social issues and how, through the right interventions and policies, we can change society to improve lives. Courses like social policy analysis, community-based intervention strategies, theory and practice of social work and organizational behavior have helped me understand not just how to address problems, but how to prevent them and promote lasting change. My passion and goal is to be a Social-worker who doesn’t just react to problems, but helps to build systems that empower people, ensuring that communities like mine are self-sufficient and resilient. Am God fearing person, hardworking, ready to listen, learn new ideas and take on new challenges for solutions. Problems/Challenges: I have faced many ups and downs in my academic career due to financial constraints. Having been born from a poor background, my parents struggled to educate me from primary up to senior four where they could no longer continue due to lack of financial resources. The insidious poverty in the home could not allow me to continue to higher school education. By God’s Grace, I got a sponsor from United Kingdom, but he was staying in Uganda. He sponsored me for my “A” Level and continued to Kampala International University. He, indeed, supported me dearly. However, he developed health complications and financial constraints and went back to England for medication in September 2022, and he did not return to Uganda due to illness and limited financial resources. However, he continued his support-sending money for my tuition, accommodation and transport to and from campus. At the beginning of August, this year (2024), he sent a message saying he can no longer support me to complete my degree due to his financial situation. I was in year two, semester two. He apologized that he tried his best, but resources were depleted and could no longer continue. I thank God for using him to offer this valuable help to me. God uses people and trying situations to test his people. Like Job, am being tested; but successes is at the door. Multiple Challenges: Given the poor background, “I am now stuck in the mud”. I was left in the middle of my academic journey. By the time he cut off sponsorship, the semester had just begun. Fortunately, he had not cleared my tuition for this semester. Am now, confused and stuck because I do not know where to go for tuition and accommodation for the semester. 2 Currently, I stay with friends (two brothers) who also, have given me an ultimatum to leave their house by the end of this month (October 2024) because they can not manage taking care of me. I have to relocate to another place or foot the rent and other expenses. Conclusion/Wayward: This is why I seek for sponsorship to enable me settle down to complete my course. Am self-motivated, patient and a seasoned hard worker. I have tried to look for a temporary job, but all in vain. “God’s mercy is the answer to my anticipating success.”

- Sonko Stephen.

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