Gloria is an orphan; she was left with her JaJa (Grandmother) when she was very young, but due to her JaJa's declining health,her home life was unstable. For a while, JaJa was able to send her to a school run by an NGO, but soon, even the tiny amount due for school fees was too much and Gloria had to drop out.
Gloria has been left on her own for the last two years without school fees and with little to do. Gloria is 15-years-old. For most Ugandan girls, this would be the gateway to seeking solace in an older man, but all Gloria wanted to do was study. She searched for options.
Aphoyo was able to except Gloria into the program as a boarding student. Now that she lives at school, she not only is receiving an education, she also has a place to call home. Gloria's teachers say she's a hard worker, just rather behind. Gloria wants to become a lawyer, "because they help people."
When we came to meet Gloria at school, we told her about her supporters in the US who believe in her enough to take on her school fees. She cried. She said she hasn't ever had a family. So now, we, Aphoyo, are her family.