Ephraim’s Wish

Ephraim listened eagerly as his older brother, Isaac, shared stories of school and being sponsored by Children of Uganda (COU). Isaac joined COU’s sponsorship program in 2019 and from then on little Ephraim longed to follow in his brother’s footsteps.

That dream became a reality two years later when Ephraim’s family was chosen for our Family Accountability and Sustainability (FAStrack) program.

In addition to business investments and holistic support, we offered to sponsor a child from each family (or two children in cases with an existing sponsored student, like Isaac) – what Ephraim always longed for!

Ephraim had never received any formal education, so everything he knew up until joining COU he had learned from his mother and older siblings. When he stepped into a classroom for the first time, he was so excited.

But, adjusting to life in boarding school proved difficult. Being away from mom, missing his friends at home, as well as waking up very early for classes brought many tears. He even pleaded at one point, “Please mom, come for me. I don’t like to be in boarding section.”

With time and continued encouragement from COU’s social worker, his teachers, mother Annet and brother Isaac (who studies at the same school and always offered him a shoulder to cry on), Ephraim was able to cope and embrace his new life. Today, he is happy to be in school! He has made many new friends and looks forward to returning with every new term.

Knowing his sponsors across the world are supporting him is also a tremendous confidence boost. Ephraim feels so grateful to be apart of the Children of Uganda family. It’s a dream come true.