Alumni Videos

Norah Birungi – Uganda
Substitute teacher

Norah Senkaba Birungi is resiliency embodied. The youngest of six children born to a Ugandan mother and Rwandan father, she was raised in Kampala, Uganda, at the height of civil conflict in the region. Her father served in the Rwandan army until he and his entire family were killed in the 1994 genocide. Her mother’s job as a hairdresser was insufficient to provide for the family so Norah’s brothers went to work at a young age to help out financially. She and her siblings lost the opportunity to attend school due to lack of resources. Overtaken by a strong sense of hopelessness and despair, she felt her life had no value or purpose.

Owen Githanga – Kenya
Accountant & CPA

Even when it felt like nothing more than a fantasy, Owen Githanga always dreamt of one day becoming an accountant. He is now living his dream as a Certified Public Accountant in Colorado, the journey to get there is nothing short of miraculous in his eyes.

Keewani Vallejo – Philippines
Physical Therapist

With a passion for community health and sharing God’s love in tangible ways, Miriam Antezana is thriving in her current role as an au pair for a child with autism. Born and raised in Cochabamba, Bolivia, Miriam’s young life was not easy, especially after her father passed away. When she was sponsored to participate in Compassion’s child development program at a nearby church, Miriam’s life was radically impacted by the love of God. Her heart beats to share that same transformational love with others in need.

David “Jey” Mbiro – Kenya
Speaker

Passionate about youth and music, Jey Mbiro has found his niche as an event organizer and radio host in Atlanta, Georgia. He is also the founder and director of Sauti Village, a mentorship program in his hometown of Mathare, Kenya, offering young people what he lacked as a child: Godly, loving leadership.

Miriam Alegre – Bolivia
Nursing Student & Nanny

With a passion for community health and sharing God’s love in tangible ways, Miriam Antezana is thriving in her current role as an au pair for a child with autism. Born and raised in Cochabamba, Bolivia, Miriam’s young life was not easy, especially after her father passed away. When she was sponsored to participate in Compassion’s child development program at a nearby church, Miriam’s life was radically impacted by the love of God. Her heart beats to share that same transformational love with others in need.

Nikol Morrison – Ecuador

Passionate about worship, family and missions, Nikol Morrison lives in Johnson City, Tennessee, with her husband, David, and together they serve with the Altar Fellowship.

Raised in Ecuador by a single mother, Nikol learned that while her father had abandoned her, God never would. His grace and provision came through her sponsorship into Compassion’s Child Development Program at a local church. The support she and her family received changed everything.

Eunice Lalam – Uganda
Registered Nurse

Eunice Lalam lives to help others. Raised in a slum on the outskirts of Kampala, she is no stranger to poverty. She was only four years old when her father passed away, and though her mother worked hard to provide for her and her four siblings, their resources were often stretched thin. Eunice was forced to drop out of school to help her mother work at the local market. When a friend told her mother about the Compassion child development program at a local church, everything changed.

Jose Frank Pina – DR
Doctor & Hospital Supervisor

Dr. Jose Frank Piña practices medicine in his hometown of San Juan, Dominican Republic. As a general practitioner doctor in the local hospital as well as the manager of the emergency department, Jose Frank is grateful for the daily opportunity to provide hands-on help and healing to those in need. He also has a segment on a weekly television program in which he shares medical and healthcare advice.

Cecilia Nyamwandha – Kenya
Geophysics Research Assistant

Cecilia Nyamwandha is a highly sought-after researcher and speaker, passionate about scientific discovery and inciting the spark of knowledge in young people. She is a geophysicist research assistant at the Center for Earthquake Research and Information (CERI) at the University of Memphis, where she recently completed her PhD in geophysics.

Amor Chung – Philippines
Diagnostic Medical Sonography student

Amor shows a deep and personal passion for the untapped potential of children in her daily life.

Raised in poverty herself, in Davao City, Philippines, Amor once thought that hope is reserved only for the privileged. All that changed, though, when she was enrolled in Compassion’s Child Development Program at six years old. Through her sponsorship, Amor’s nutritional, educational, and health needs were taken care of, allowing her to focus on developing her full potential..

Richmond Wandera – Uganda
Founder and Director of Pastors Discipleship Network

Raised in a Ugandan slum, Richmond Wandera has a unique perspective on life, faith and leadership. He is the senior pastor of New Life Baptist Church in Kampala, and the Founder and Director of Pastors Discipleship Network, a nonprofit that serves, equips and trains thousands of pastors across East Africa.