Building Dreams, Changing Lives; My Journey with MIFA
Driven by spiritual commitment and practical generosity, German families, through MISSION FOR ALL (MIFA) are helping transform the lives of vulnerable Ugandan children, I, Dr. Innocent Nkonwa inclusive, offering not just education and daily necessities, but also dignity, hope, and opportunity.
I joined MIFA 1994, while completing my primary seven. I was an orphan and I was so uncertain about what the future held for me. I was glad that someone who was abstract to me by then had committed to walk the secondary school journey with me. Initially, I thought that my foster parents, were some very rich gurus in Germany and thought that all my problems were over. I was humbled to later find out that the family that had committed to stand with me was not materially rich but very rich with the love of Christ Jesus. How does someone choose and commit to support a person they have not physically met unless they have a revelation about the love of Jesus Christ? When I joined the MIFA family, I felt a new sense of identity, and a new ray of hope shone in my life. I was supported with school fees and basic necessities all through my secondary journey. Being a fees defaulter and lacking school needs was made history. The support I got helped me to concentrate on my studies and I excelled in my secondary education. I was admitted to university for a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery on government scholarship. I had never dreamt of being a doctor in my life because in my ancestral background no one had ever completed school. This was because of the alarming poverty aggravated by many years of political instability and war.
The exposure that I got from MIFA opened doors to the numerous opportunities that I confidently embraced. The holistic approach to career guidance blended with spiritual support I acquired at various MIFA engagements was something I still appreciate every day of my life.
MIFA staff and sourced facilitators mentored, built and guided us; in brief MIFA made me. Mentorship is more than advice; “What you have heard from me… entrust to faithful people who will be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2). I participated in many learning sessions organized in conferences; I listened, asked questions, and told stories of my own struggles as a teenager and experienced facilitators supported me. Through this, I learnt that MIFA mentorship is about walking alongside someone, not standing above them. I still reminisce those moments when would sing and pray together; walls softened, hearts opened and strangers became family. Fellowship was the bloodstream of our life. Conferences held during school holidays were safe spaces for us to step out of routine and into community; learning to belong, to be known, and to serve.
Fast forward, I have grown through my career,I am now a gynecologist and epidemiologist. It’s satisfying to serve my country now in the capacity of District Health Officer in Luwero District. I am married to Winnie with four children; Imela, Isaiah, Israel and Isabel. I want appreciate MIFA and the partners for the support and endless sacrifices they made towards us. I want to thank God for the opportunity He presented to me through MIFA. MIFA lit up my world.
