The youngest of 5 children, Mandela was born a few months after his father died from an illness. Living on land belonging to family members, his mother struggled to keep her children alive through subsistence farming. Despite all his mother’s efforts, the lack of resources for school fees eventually forced his 2 brothers and 2 sisters to quit school before completing the elementary level. All Mandela’s siblings were forced to return to subsistence farming to survive. 

Mandela was picked up by a sponsoring organization when he was in 4th grade. Covering a portion of his school fees, the organization facilitated his ability to complete elementary school while his mother worked hard to make up the difference. Through the organization, Mandela was given the opportunity to attend a Christian school where he eventually completed the required course work to qualify for university. Watching his siblings drop out of school and not have the option to pursue education has motivated him to push on with whatever opportunity he is given. Early on, he committed himself to studying in order to make the most of the opportunity and often held the top grades in his class. He dreams of becoming a medical doctor or entering some other field of medicine. His desire to serve people and help his family by “ lifting them up and giving them relief from the struggles they are experiencing,” are now possible through Launch Uganda.