Yasmin Jenkins

October 10, 2019 7:31 am

Published by Partners for Community Transformation

I became involved with Mityana Charity and its sister Organisation in Uganda – PaCT after my Nan sponsored me a child as a “Present”. To be honest, I wasn’t all that thrilled at the idea initially. I didn’t understand how anyone knew where the money was going, and if Pius Edrine Kassagga even existed.

Well, I am happy to tell you it has all worked out incredibly well! Over the years I have gradually learnt more and more about the charity. It’s a small voluntary Organisation in the UK, implementing through Partners for Community Transformation – PaCT in Uganda that deals with decisions and logistics at that end. The communication is abundant between the UK and Ugandan arms, as is contact with the sponsored children.

Four years ago I travelled to Mityana in Uganda with the charity group. One of our first engagements was a presentation with the sponsored children, sponsored grandparents and their families. I was really disappointed to learn that Pius had an exam to take that morning, and wasn’t there. I helped to take photos for kids who wanted to send a picture to their sponsors. After a few hours a small child travelling the speed of a bullet in a yellow t-shirt flew down the hill, catching me in a rugby tackle style hug around my waist and calling me ‘Jenkins!’ (The Ugandans write their surname first, and their given names after). It was Pius! His Mum was there too and I had the absolute pleasure of chatting to a really lovely, interesting and intelligent pair of people!

I have travelled back since, and spent a bit more time with Pius. I’m can’t help but feel incredibly proud of this smart, outgoing student, and love hearing his stories. I feel some responsibility for him, and his lovely family and, honestly the £350 a year fee is nothing that I miss, and I have no doubt that I will continue to invest in his education until he is earning the big bucks himself!

After sponsoring Pius for some time, I realized how honest and transparent the staff for this organization are and how amazing communities were being transformed which motivated more to participate in the London marathon to raise money towards the construction of PaCT offices in Uganda which has since been completed.