From Sponsored Child to Inspiring Teacher: Mary Goretti Nurtures Future Leaders of her Community.

In a time when many teachers are abandoning the profession for seemingly more profitable ventures, one former sponsored child is rolling up her sleeves to nurture the next generation of leaders right from the classroom.

At around 7:00 AM, Mary Goretti is ready for the day. With her bag and books in hand, she sets off for school. Upon arrival, she prepares the classroom, arranging the day’s lesson plan and play materials, and then patiently waits for her learners. As they trickle in one by one, she greets each child with a warm smile and a heartfelt hug.

Now 26 years old, Mary Goretti is living her dream. A former child sponsored by World Vision, she is passionately committed to shaping young minds.

“Ever since I was a child, I dreamt of becoming a teacher,” Mary recalls. “I find fulfillment in being with children, and we were told teachers never grow old.”

Mary joined the World Vision sponsorship program at just three years old. She remembers being among hundreds of children gathered at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Kakayo, where they were introduced to the concept of sponsorship.

“I didn’t really understand what was happening at the time. I just followed the crowd,” she says. “Looking back, I thank God I was part of the program.”

When she learned she had a sponsor from Korea, it felt surreal. She remembers writing her first letter and waiting eagerly for a reply. When it finally came with a photo, Mary was overjoyed.

“It was my first time having a ‘Muzungu’ friend. I proudly showed it off to my friends, then stuck her photo next to my bed.”

These exchanges kept her focused and motivated. In her community, many young girls faced challenges like teenage pregnancy and poverty, which often derailed their education. But Mary stayed on course.

She remembers classmates walking barefoot and carrying books in polythene bags that would get soaked during rainy days. Her experience was different, thanks to the sponsorship; she always had school supplies like books, pens, and a school bag.

“There was never a time I lacked school requirements,” she says. “I felt truly blessed.”

World Vision also provided life skills training, including how to make reusable menstrual pads, empowering girls to stay in school.

A Gift That Kept Giving

Mary grew up in a modest straw-and-wattle house with no furniture; just bedding on the floor and clothes hung on the walls. But when she was 10, World Vision built her family a three-roomed house. For the first time, her parents had their own room, and so did she.

Among the many gifts she received, one stood out — a cow.

“I couldn’t believe it. But yes, it was a real cow!” she laughs.

That cow became the foundation of her family’s livestock venture. It multiplied to six, providing milk for the family and income from selling the surplus. Later, they sold two cows to buy four pigs, further diversifying their income sources.

These animals helped keep Mary in school. Whenever fees were due, her parents could sell one to cover the costs. After completing secondary school, they used proceeds from the livestock to pay her tuition for teacher training.

Today, Mary teaches at the very school she once attended alongside some of the teachers who taught her.

“Mary was a brilliant young girl who loved playing with others,” says Mr. Baluka, head teacher at St. Kizito Primary School and Mary’s former teacher. “Seeing her now inspires us to give our best. You never know what a child will become.”

Mary is more than a teacher; she is a beacon of hope, nurturing the future leaders of her community. Her story is a powerful testament to how sponsorship can transform not just individuals, but entire generations.

Story by: Mungu Jakisa Brian- Communications Officer