Welcome Home
In the last 10 years, I have noticed the impact these words can have on a child. We welcome home students as they begin their academic career at RTRA or those returning after an absence. Interestingly, each child responds differently. Sometimes, it’s reciprocated with tears but often it’s met with initial hesitation or doubt. Am I really welcome and accepted here? It’s only with patience and arms wide open that we begin the slow work of settling in, instilling trust, and encouraging healing.
Due to COVID-19, we have not been able to send a team from the USA to Uganda since February 2020. But in August 2021, two of us had the opportunity to travel to RTRA after being away for so long. Our work included a full week of workshops, team building, gift giving, photo taking, laughter, and yes, some tears. What stood out to me most was seeing how much the children have grown, not just in height and age, but in maturity.
I want to share a story of growth and hospitality about one of the first 30 students we welcomed in the program in 2011. Lilly* came from one of the poorest families that truly struggled. Yet, she was able to overcome family adversity and attend school for the first time at age 9. She looked forward to seeing her friends everyday and enjoyed learning new subjects. Despite her initial success, just a few years later, we discovered Lilly was pregnant.
In developing countries like Uganda, the girl child faces more barriers to fully participate in academic, economic, and health opportunities. From menstruation to early marriage, there are a number of risks and responsibilities that threaten the continuation of her studies and success. According to the country’s 2011 demographic and health survey, nearly 25% of girls aged 15 to 19 have had a baby or are pregnant.
Our team realized that Lilly needed us more than ever to build trust, provide support, and present alternatives to prevent early teenage marriage. RTRA hospitality does not fade and is not conditional. We assisted Lilly with prenatal care, delivered extra food, and when the baby was born, clothes and diapers were brought to her. Although we welcomed her, Lilly struggled with her path and moved out of the area shortly after the baby was born. But during this recent trip, Lilly returned and said she was ready to resume her studies! To which I responded, welcome home.
She has enrolled in Yambala, in the Center for Social Enterprise, which includes both tailoring skills and entrepreneurial training. As an apprentice at RTRA, she also receives a monthly stipend. She sees the world through a different lens than her peers, yet because she knows that RTRA is her home in good times and bad, she feels secure and wants to build a better life for her children. This is a turnaround story God is writing through the lives of these students we love and pray for daily. Lilly’s story is not uncommon in Uganda. But one of the greatest gifts Raise the Roof Academy has given the community is protecting young women from becoming teenage mothers and young men from becoming teenage fathers by opening doors of opportunity and allowing them to discover their potential.
Through generous sponsors and donors like you, we are making education and empowerment opportunities accessible in villages for hundreds of girls. Every day, young women like Lilly are choosing to get an education and to discover their talents and passions. Our girls and their families now believe teenage marriage does not secure their future, but rather perpetuates the cycle of poverty and pain.
We will continue to welcome home all children for the first time, and those like Lilly who may need to hear those words a second time, we will always say, “Welcome Home.” Thank you for making the impact and reality of these words possible. Let us continue welcoming them home!
with gratitude,
David Ssebulime Co-Founder
*Name has been changed for privacy purposes.