Meet the Kira Farm Students

No regrets
My name is Agnes, I was a student at Kira last year. I took a course in catering and I have just sat my end of year Exams
I come from Kitgum, Northern Uganda. I’m a single mother looking after two children, both under 6 yrs. I received a loan of 150,000 shillings (£40) to start a small business from Amigos after my internship.
My auntie suggested that I move to Pader, a nearby district as nobody knew how to make donuts there, so I bought all the necessary equipments and kicked off my business.
I’m doing really well, and I am very happy. I can make a profit of 5000 shilling (£2,00) a day and I have 50,000 shillings savings! I am now able to pay school fees for my eldest son who is 5 years and in nursery. I can now support my little family!
Very excited,
Agnes

Real and lasting change
Many special circumstances surround our Kira students. Take a young man from Lira, he is the third child and eldest boy in his family; so traditionally the natural heir and head of the family since his father and mother passed away. When he reached Kira, he was diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. This was so devastating he threatened to leave Kira and commit suicide, even after getting professional counselling and receiving ARV drugs. We all encouraged him to stay, but he continued re-echoing his suicide threat each day for a whole month. One day I asked him to take a walk with me into the Natural Medicine garden. He told me “I am just wasting my time here Robert, I could die at any time.” But I encouraged him that God cares so much for us that He is able to change any situation, take the case of Lazarus in the Bible. He stabilized somewhat, but he still kept himself a little isolated from the rest of the students.
This week he came to me just to thank me, and all the staff who have been sharing in the morning devotions. In a written letter he said “what you have been teaching us has changed my life; I do not know how I can pay Amigos back enough. I would like to reward Amigos with something that will last; I request that you show me an area on this farm where I will plant 14 Mahogany trees.”
I have been so encouraged by this young man’s testimony that it has convinced me that little actions we consistently do (in faith) can cause real and lasting change on the inside of a hurting soul.
Robert Bayita (Amigos Ug Director of Operations)