When I Eva was a little girl, I admired school so much.
Every morning, I watched other children in my village put on their uniforms and walk down the dusty paths with books in hand.

I longed to walk with them.
I longed to sit in a classroom.
I longed to hold a pen and write my name.
I dreamed of Makerere University, even though I had never been there.
Whenever our neighbours’ children returned from Kampala, they spoke of Makerere.

The biggest university in the country.
Their stories painted pictures in my mind: graduation gowns, big buildings, a future full of opportunity.
I wanted that so badly.
But it never came.

Our father refused to take us to school, simply because we were girls.
So I stayed home, doing housework, digging, and caring for others.
Slowly, the dream I Eva carried began to fade, just like it does for so many girls denied education.

I also dreamed of becoming a politician.
Whenever campaigns happened, I watched leaders stand before crowds and speak with confidence.

I admired how their lives changed and how they, in turn, changed the lives of the people they served.
Cars. Guards. Respect.

I told myself, “One day, I will represent people too. I will lead.”
But without education, that door was closed.

Before I knew it, I was grown and married, not because I was ready, but because I had no other choice.

The life I lived became the opposite of what I wanted for my daughters.
Because without education, life’s opportunities become narrow.

Before I knew it, I was grown and married, not because I was ready, but because I had no other choice.

The life I lived became the opposite of what I wanted for my daughters.

Because without education, life’s opportunities become narrow.

That’s why I work so hard for them to get an education.
Getting married against my will and as young girl, turned life into a series of struggles.

There were days I prayed to God for strength just to make it through.

Yet even in the hardest times, I reminded myself, I am alive.
Many children I grew up with didn’t make it this far.
So every breath became a gift I never took for granted.

My happiest memory came in 2021.
That year, my daughters went back to school.
I still remember the joy on their faces as they carried their books again.

That moment filled me with the happiness I had longed for all my life.

It all began with art.
At first, I didn’t take it seriously.

My daughters told me about art classes, but I thought, “Why art? How can this help them?”

I even discouraged them, believing it wasted their time.
But then I noticed something changing.

Gloria, my youngest, grew more confident. She proudly showed me her work, smiling every time I praised her.

Lyton, who was always quiet like me, began to open up.
The art I once resisted had become their doorway.
It changed my attitude completely.

The art I once resisted had become their doorway.
It changed my attitude completely.

Faces Up invited me to the centre to see what my daughters had created.

Those visits filled me with pride.
And then came the biggest surprise: Faces Up told me their school fees would be covered through proceeds from their artwork.

I Eva, couldn’t believe it.
How could someone buy a child’s painting? What would they even use it for?

But it was true.
And in that moment, I thanked God for using art to open doors for my children.

At first, it was just creativity arts and crafts.
But slowly, it became so much more.

Today, my daughters receive full educational support, school fees, scholastic materials, and mentorship.

When I look at them now, I see transformation.
Before, they were idle, discouraged, and hopeless.
Now, they are disciplined, creative, and full of dreams.

For the first time, they believe they can achieve them. The art I first denied them, now became the way.
I pray they go far.

I want them to reach the highest levels of education.
But more than that, I want them to walk with God.

To carry respect, good manners, and strong values wherever they go—because those are the true foundations of life.
To other single parents who may feel like giving up, I Eva say this:
Be patient. Hold on.

Even when children drop out of school, don’t lose hope.
I was there once. I told my daughters, “One day, you’ll go back to school,” even when I had no plan.

At one point, someone else paid their fees. But midway, they pulled out and left everything to me.
I had no money.

But I refused to send my daughters to be housemaids, hawk fruits, or work in restaurants.
I simply held on.

And God made a way.

My name is Eva. This is my story.
Thank you for supporting Faces Up. Through your generosity, my daughters and many other children are writing new stories of hope.