A fourth born in a family of 14 children, I have lived three thirds of my life through horrible, deplorable, alarming and inhuman conditions not because I was an orphan but because of the prevalence of evil in our communities.

My grandfather was murdered in 1983 because of a land wrangle, my mother was just about to give birth, the fact that they had to lose over 60 acres of land and everything destroyed is not fair.
Going to school was just a dream yet there was no "sunshine" in our home. For most of my childhood, selling fish, ferrying water and making friends in school was the order. It, however, got better with the introduction of UPE in 1997, I was in P.5, the fear of dropping out of school was dashed off until I completed my primary school. I passed with  very good grades but there was no tuition, seeing no other way to join secondary school, I attempted to take my own life through suicide because I had always been the first in class while at primary.
Because of the itching desire to be at school, I left my father's home when I was in senior one and went to a nearby trading centre where I could do odd jobs during the evenings to raise tuition. Soon I won the hearts of many people who welcomed me into their lives, I could ride a boda boda bicycle in the evening until mid-night. Morning hours I would be around the school compound copying notes from friends and that was the routine of my high school since I had to ensure i pay tuition before I sit exams. Though I had left home on good terms, I was to be subjected to a lot of accusations especially when there was a theft in the area as people assumed my situation warranted me to do that.
 Knowing Christ and believing that one day my life would be different inspired me to always do the right things. And fasting in secret locations inspired me to be in the presence of God just as the bible say in Romans 8:38 that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. God paid my patience and persistence by blessing me an opportunity to qualify as a secondary school teacher where I majored in literature and language. Meeting his Excellency the president of Uganda in my village, Serere and being recognised as youth mobiliser for the NRM were all his deeds.  God blessed me with a scholarship to study BPAM in UCU and today I am a bread winner for the entire family taking care of my 8 sisters who are at school, I have learnt to wait upon God's timing and to serve him in the ministry he has given me in this great UCU family. For the friends who offered food, shelter and clothing to me, I owe you a lot and I pray for God's blessings upon you in abundance.

Alex Omweru is a second year student of Bachelor of Public Administration and also class MP.