Many believe that Argentinian Lionel Messi is the greatest soccer player of all time. Showing my age, I recall when the Brazilian great–Pelé–was considered the greatest soccer player. Today, I am writing about Donald Ayimbisibwe, who does not come close to these accolades. But, considering where Donald started, this 12-year-old is pretty impressive.

Donald’s mother passed away in 2018 when he was 5. Donald’s father was not in the picture, so he was raised by his grandfather on Lingira Island. WE International’s WE Educate program has supported Donald since the age of 5, allowing him to attend school since his grandfather could not afford an education for Donald.

While Lingira Island boasts of a fine secondary school–Lingira Living Hope Secondary School–run by our friends at Shepherd’s Heart International Ministry (SHIM), the island lacks a quality primary school. So, even though Donald was attending Lingira Primary School, he was not receiving the preparation he would need to advance to secondary school.

Recognizing the lack of a quality primary education on Lingira Island, the WE International Ugandan staff worked with the families of 8 primary school students on Lingira Island to enroll these kids in St. Francis Nursery & Primary School, a boarding school on Buvuma Island. These 8 students–including Donald–along with 7 pupils attending other underperforming primary schools–are now receiving a quality primary education at St. Francis School.

Since transferring to St. Francis School, Donald has excelled in sports. When we were visiting Buvuma Island a few weeks ago, Donald and his classmates were competing in a local football (soccer to you and me) tournament. These kids were competing in bare feet on a slanted pitch (again, we call it a field) comprised of weeds and dirt. It may sound like a cliché, but these 10-, 11-, and 12-year olds were giving 110%, displaying remarkable heart.

Donald’s team lost 2-1, but he was selected to represent his district on an all-star team that will compete at the Uganda Primary Schools Sports Association National Games over the next two weeks in Yumbe, one of Uganda’s northern most districts bordering South Sudan. The WE International team and the staff at St. Francis School are proud of Donald’s achievements, especially considering his humble background.

WE International shows the love of Christ to the most vulnerable women, children, and families in Eastern Uganda, like Donald Ayimbisibwe. These efforts rely solely on your contributions. When you click the button below, your entire donation will go directly to Uganda to support our efforts there.