Joska

Greetings from Joska!

Receive calvary greetings from Joska Center. We thank God for his faithfulness through the term. Thank you for your prayers and continued support throughout the term. 

Erick Wabuti,
Head Teacher, Joska Primary School

Hope Transforms: A Success Story

Emma* is a 12-year-old Grade 6 student at Missions of Hope Joska School. She joined the school in January 2024 after being referred by well-wishers. Emma comes from a single-parent family headed by her mother, who has been battling mental illness. Her health condition had negatively affected Emma’s upbringing. This situation led to Emma being taken in by her aunt, who works as a casual laborer in the Joska neighborhood. She has since become her primary caregiver.

When Emma first joined MOHI, she exhibited signs of emotional distress. She often appeared sad, withdrawn, and at times expressed verbal threats of self-harm. Her aunt struggled to manage her behavior and provide the emotional support needed. Upon follow-up, our social worker established that Emma’s emotional struggles largely stemmed from unstable parenting and a lack of understanding of adolescent mental health needs.

To address the situation, the social worker referred her to a qualified child psychologist for professional counseling. At the same time, her aunt received training and guidance on positive parenting and was encouraged to attend caregiver counseling sessions to strengthen her capacity to support Emma.

Her teachers and the school counsellor provided regular emotional check-ins, encouragement, and mentorship. Through this consistent support network, Emma gradually began to open up and express herself more freely.

Today, Emma’s progress has been remarkable. She is now enrolled in our boarding school, where she enjoys a safe, nurturing environment that supports both her emotional and academic growth. Through continued counselling, she has developed effective coping mechanisms, improved self-esteem, and built stronger relationships with her peers. She is part of the group that sat for the Grade 6 national assessment. 

Her relationship with her aunt has also significantly improved, as the aunt has learned to offer more patient and understanding care. Emma is now cheerful, expressive, and focused on her studies.

We truly thank God for the transformation witnessed in Emma’s life. From a place of deep emotional distress and instability, Emma has blossomed into a confident, hopeful, and resilient young girl. With continued care, mentorship, and God’s grace, her future shines bright with promise.

*Name changed for privacy

Term Highlights

• We are proud of our 136 Grade 6 and 156 Grade 9 students who have successfully completed their national tests this year. The Grade 9 will now advance to senior school next year while the sixth graders will join junior high school. 
• Our staff carried out door-to-door evangelism in the school's neighborhood, reaching out to 35 households. The evangelism concluded with an outdoor revival meeting where 15 people gave their lives to Christ. 
• Our staff joined the Ndovoini staff in a friendly sports tournament featuring soccer and volleyball. These activities promote teamwork and also strengthens our bonds as a community. 
  
  

Church Highlights

• We conducted five home visits and prayed for seven family members who were unwell. Two elderly men gave their lives to Jesus during these visits.
• In our children’s ministry, we organized a five-day VBS for children aged 3-14. Everyday, we had an average attendance of 30 children.
• Forty-two teens participated in VBS and outdoor recreational activities including swimming and team-building games.
• We conducted four discipleship classes within the community and at school. During those classes, we engaged 75 students from both high school and junior secondary levels in spiritual growth and mentorship.

Partner Connections

• We hosted a team from Garden Spot Village. The team conducted insightful leadership training sessions for all our staff. 
• A team from the Rocky Mountain Christian Church (Niwot, CO) visited the Joska clinic and provided medical care to patients. We also shared a vibrant Sunday Service with them. 
• We hosted a group of senior citizens from Outlook Christian Church (McCordsville, IN) who enjoyed a school tour and spent meaningful time interacting with their sponsored students.
• The Africa Fire Mission (Cincinnati, OH) team conducted fire safety training for students and staff, culminating in a fire drill. That was an important exercise that strengthened our safety preparedness.

Prayer Requests

• Pray against premature deaths among students and community members. 
• Pray for God's guidance and protection for our students, their parents, and staff.
• Pray for more partnerships to help us better serve our community.

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