Mentorship and Motherhood: Jackie's Story
One key way that we empower women and inspire change in their lives is through mentorship. Walking intentionally with individuals and families through all stages of life empowers them to grow, change, and thrive. We have had the great pleasure of mentoring Jackie and empowering her to support her family. She now empowers others by mentoring managers, supervisors, and children at the James Place. Read her story below!
At just three years old, Jackie moved in with a family friend because her parents couldn't meet all her needs. As the fourth child out of five, her family struggled to continue paying school fees. She had to take three years off school until she found a sponsor to pay for her secondary education, but this did not darken her bright spirits or dull her sharp mind.
We met Jackie when she needed a job to pay for university. We empowered her to support herself and to continue her education by hiring her in the childcare department. She served faithfully, showing love and care to the children there, while taking evening classes. We mentored her spiritually, seeing her grow in her knowledge and application of the Word of God.
In 2014, a neighbor of the James Place caught her eye. As they grew in friendship, it became clear that that he was the one. We celebrated their marriage in 2015 after she received her degree in Social Work and Social Administration from Kampala University. We then had the pleasure of hiring her as a social worker at the James Place. There, she grew in knowledge and experience under the mentorship of our social work supervisor. She learned how to handle a multitude of issues and responsibilities and bring peace and light wherever she went.
Jackie continued to grow and learn, so in 2022 we promoted her to the management team, which she was on for a couple years. She assisted with social work issues in the preschool and mentored managers, supervisors, and scholarship kids. The management team dissolved and was restructured, but Jackie's stable and calm demeanor continues to bring peace and growth to the team. She says her job is rewarding because she can see the positive impact she has on people's lives.
Jackie, her husband, and her sweet children are thriving. Working for the James Place has meant that she can pay for her children's school fees to ensure they get a quality education to set them up well in life.
We are so thankful for what God has done in her life and how Heal Ministries has gotten to be a huge part of empowering her and seeing her life change!