Norah Senkaba Birungi is 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.

When one of her mother’s clients learned that Norah wasn’t in school, she connected her to a local church for assistance. Norah was sponsored into Compassion’s child development program through that church when she was ten years old. She was able to return to school and receive a quality education. She also learned values and life skills, and was introduced to the transformative love of Jesus. Through the leadership development program, Norah had the opportunity to attend Uganda Christian University and obtain her bachelor’s degree in social work and social administration.

Norah lives in Germantown, Maryland, with her husband Godfrey and their three beautiful children. By God’s grace, the hardships she endured made her strong and resilient rather than bitter and despondent. A powerful advocate for children and the marginalized, Norah enjoys speaking on poverty, vulnerability, health and wellness, and her personal journey from desperation to hope.

Before she met Jesus, Norah could not forgive those that killed her father and his family.

Compassion changed the life of her entire family, their physical needs were met, they received education and most importantly it brought the Gospel to them.  Compassion led  her family to Jesus and eventually led her to forgiveness.

Q. What are some thoughts you had while learning Norah’s story?

THE LITTLEST THING CAN CHANGE EVERYTHING

A series of little things led us to receive Jesus as Lord and Savior.  Our lives in Christ and our blessings are the results of someone’s little decision to invest in us.

Q. As you look back, what are some of the little things you can see that eventually led you to Christ?

Christianity is not going to a building, it is not a program.  What matters is being active in changing a person’s life.

Matthew 10:42 ESV

When we serve in the Kingdom, and not just show up on Sunday, there is an eternal reward coming to us that no one can take away from us when we do something in Jesus name.  Even a cup of cold water handed in Jesus name to one of His children receives a reward.  

Galatians 6:10 ESV

The answer to inflation is not to shrink back in spending in all things.  There is an expediture we cannot afford to shrink back on and that is investing in the kingdom of God.  

Q. What is something you could give up or have given up to serve someone else?

Poverty Facts

• More than 736 million people worldwide live below the poverty line — measured by the World Bank as earning less than $1.90 per day.

• One out of every 27 children will die before reaching the age of 5, mostly from malnutrition and other preventable causes due to extreme poverty.

• Approximately 264 million children and youths around the world are not attending school.

• Around the world, roughly 130 million primary and secondary school-age girls are out of school.

• The global COVID-19 pandemic is expected to set back poverty reduction progress in 70 developing countries* by three to 10 years.

• There are still 773 million people in the world today who can’t read, and most of them are women.

• Child poverty accounts for half of the world’s poor with 1 out of 5 children experiencing extreme poverty.

• Malnutrition and diet are by far the biggest risk factors for the global burden of disease.

Challenge: If you have not done so already, take a step of faith and sponsor a child from Compassion.