Emma lost both parents by the age of 3 and moved to live with his grandparents. Loss came again when he was 6 through his grandfather’s death, leaving his grandmother struggling to find food for herself and Emma. In 4th grade, he moved in with an older brother, a farmer with a small plot of land and his own children. The struggle for survival continued. The possibility of getting an education appeared bleak until an organization stepped in to pay for part of his school fees, enabling him to complete elementary school and begin high school. The organization paid for half of the high school fees but even with this help, after two years, his brother could no longer make up the difference. Emma was forced to quit school and figure out a way to survive. He left school with no hope of returning.  

Emma moved to the city, hustling everyday to find work. For two years, he worked in a factory, earning $2/day making solar batteries. Several coworkers died or became seriously ill from chemical exposure, prompting  Emma to quit rather than risk his life. He worked as a porter, carrying loads on his back, but payments  were not always made after goods were delivered. The daily struggle with no hope for a brighter future caused him to look to drugs and alcohol for relief. Thankfully, God intervened. A miraculous conversion changed his outlook and he decided to try to finish school. Even after a 4 year school gap, he was able to jump right in and complete his final 2 years of high school. School fees came through a work program and Christian friends. Finishing high school at 24 years old might seem like a failure, but in Emma’s life, it is resilience in the face of unbelievable hardships. He dreams of being an auto mechanic and a “for hire” driver. 

When asked what he wants to do with his education, Emma says, “When I remember my past, I don’t want someone to be like me. I want to give them a hand.”  Through Launch Uganda, a brighter future is ahead for Emma and those he is able to help along the way.