My name is Kiza Charles and I am a residence of Kanyang-goga Village.
I came to know about Ignite Change through our leader who told us that the project manager of a nonprofit approached him and asked him to share about his fellow street boys. Our leader was highly terrified and could not easily open up to the project manager because he was afraid of being arrested. We were living in the bush because we were also afraid of the police. We would only come to the town during night hours to loot the houses of people, beat people to get enough to eat, and some even raped young ladies who were working during these late hours.
When he approached us, I was equally terrified but the project manager approached us, talked to us, and assured us of our safety and security. I then started developing trust and courage in him. He had taken a risk to visit us in the bush alone where we were hiding and talk to us from there. We had threatened to kill him if we are arrested but he persisted and kept on coming until we had total trust in him and the entire management of Ignite Change.
My life has totally changed and even my perception toward life. I used to take marijuana, fight a lot, take cocaine, and was a drunkard. But I now love God, fear God, love people, have learned how to farm, and can operate a business and save money for other investments and business expansion.
I am now doing my saloon business. My business is moving on very well and I have many customers which has enabled me to start saving four thousand shillings ($1.10) every day. I sleep in a good house, have enough to eat, and I can socialize freely and easily with the community members and my family members. I am now teaching other youth who are still doing evil things like marijuana, cocaine, alcoholism, raping among other things to stop and give their life to God.
I, therefore, would want to extend my appreciation to Nommy, Emily, and every hand who has given support to Ignite Change. May the almighty God bless you and the work of your hand.
With your help, last June we started a new initiative called the Paul Project. The main goal of this project was to help the current street boys completely change their lives – from Saul to Paul. We aspired for them to meet Jesus, rehabilitate their minds, work together, learn how to farm, start a business, and restore relationships with their families. Most members of the community doubted any project working with this group would succeed.
But through God all things are possible! Ten out of the initial twelve boys completed the project. They were supported with different businesses: selling second hands clothes, roasting sausages, smoking fish, having a mobile shop, music training, and opening a “saloon” (how they call the place where they cut people’s hair in Uganda). One of the boys even signed a contract with Ignite Change and is our newest employee!
Our Community Outreach Manager, Nommy, visited one of the members, Charles Kiza to find out how he is faring. Through the Paul Project, Charles met Jesus and turned his life around! His saloon is the community’s favorite because he does a great job shaving their hair. Many in the community now call him “Pastor Charles” because he is overflowing with the love of Christ. Beyond his profit, he is saving $1.10 a day – which is huge! Many in Uganda do not even earn that much money in a day.
Each and every boy who completed the project has an amazing story like this one. We will continue to share them in the upcoming months.
Starting in April, we will begin working with the next group of street boys. Last year, we identified 24 boys and only had the capability of helping 12 at that time. If you would like to partner with one of these boys by providing monthly support and praying over their lives to see their life drastically changed like Charles - please consider joining our family partnership program.
-Emily