Meet Sarah Nanyondo

Here she is. Sarah Nanyondo. So many love her for good reason. I met Sarah in 2005 on Lingira Island in Lake Victoria, Uganda. As they say in Uganda, we are "age mates". Our lives could not be more different yet somehow, despite my doubts about deep/meaningful cross-cultural relationships, God brought the two of us together in a way that we both agree has been life changing...and hilarious as we navigate the waters of "You do WHAT in your culture?!?!"
In 1998 Sarah left her home village of Kayunga, central Uganda, to look for work due to her mother's lack of school fees to send her to school. (Sarah's father had passed away in 1989.) This led her to Lingira Island where she became a Christian and enrolled in discipleship training classes. She also began to teach at Joy Preschool (where you do not need a degree to teach) which is where I found here when I moved to the island. The teachers there often do not receive wages for the work they do because it depends on the students bringing their school fees. The teachers often do not turn away students who continue to come without school fees. We taught together for several months but Sarah desperately wanted to go back to school. I couldn't believe the way she would soak up anything we would do together in the preschool. She was so eager to learn and she showed such love for the children as she served them.
She had been "sitting" for nine years waiting for a sponsor when suddenly some people stepped forward to sponsor her. I couldn't believe the fervor that she exhibited as she stayed up all hours of the night to study. Her humility was incredible as she joined school with girls so much younger than her. I once visited her at her dorm and was so impressed by the way she treated all the girls as peers who were clearly so much younger than she was.
Which brings us to today. Sarah (far left) with her current roommates at University! Sarah has received sponsorship to attend the University of Kyambogo in Kampala, Uganda to pursue a degree in education. In Sarah's own words: "As a professional teacher, I believe I will teach the youth how (to) walk morally upright and also do some counseling. And, to pass (on) God’s love, which will be spread to the whole community and world.” Her short terms goals "are to study hard so that I may be able to become a professional and loving teacher" and her long terms goals are "to get a job either being a tutor at the university or becoming a headmistress, especially in the islands.”
(Sarah, far right, with the other teachers at Joy Preschool on Lingira Island 2005 before receiving sponsorship to go back to school.)
Which brings us to the need. Sarah has three semesters left to go in her schooling and due to several factors, a few of her sponsors are unable to continue sponsoring her so she is $1,000 US dollars away from finishing university and being able to teach. It truly will be a gift to Uganda to have such a talented, compassionate, committed woman serving their youth. ANY amount will help. Below I will link a You Tube video so you can see how incredibly grateful Sarah is for anything she receives. If you are interested in donating, it is very easy! Go to:
http://www.globaloutreach.org/missionaries.html#SmithA
1. Click on Andrew and Karina Smith "support"
2. Fill out the credit card info
3. Send me a message to let me know you donated so I can contact Andrew and Karina (the ones in charge of her school fees through their organization Shepherd's Heart.)

If you prefer just sending me a check, let me know and I will send you my address! She would be so thankful for whatever you can do to help her! Thanks for reading!

Evidence of her thankful heart :)
http://www.youtube.com/user/03CoJack?feature=mhee#p/a/u/2/8Rj4m1xXAtA

And one more video for you Sarah Groves fans out there :) ...this video shows Sarah's spirit too!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yJwbNZJG0Y