Teacher Finds Unique Way to Serve

Schools in Uganda shut down for almost two years because of the coronavirus pandemic—the longest educational disruption worldwide. But one teacher who participated in training led by Resonate Global Mission missionaries found a unique way to serve.

When the pandemic forced schools to close their doors, few schools in the world were truly prepared for learning at home. And for some communities in Uganda, a lack of resources and technology made remote learning nearly impossible. Students were out of school, teachers were out of work, and communities were anxious and stressed.

But God worked in an unexpected way through Educational Care, a curriculum of Raise Up Global Ministries that Resonate missionaries use to equip educators with best practices and biblical principles for teaching.

Harriet is one of the thousands of educators who have participated in Educational Care. When her school shut down, she needed to find a way to earn a living, so she started weaving, beading, crocheting, and soap making. Her two teenage neighbors took an interest in her work, and she offered to teach them. They said yes—and then they invited a few of their friends.

Before long, 15 teenagers were crafting with Harriet every day. It was a new kind of school providing a unique way to serve.

“Educational Care helped Harriet realize that teaching is a calling, not just a job, and that she’s called to serve even outside of the classroom. She learned to seize every opportunity God brings her way to do ministry and bless others,” said Barbara Nadunga, a Resonate ministry leader who facilitates Educational Care.

Every day, before starting their craftwork, Harriet read a passage from the Bible with the students. Then they discussed what they read and reflected on what it meant for them and their community. Harriet was not only teaching these young people crafts; she was discipling them.

“She saw the opportunity as fertile ground to share with the teenagers about God and the Bible,” said Nadunga.

Today, schools in Uganda are back in session, but not all schools have been able to reopen because of financial shortages. Meanwhile, Harriet is still looking for a teaching job. So she’s still using the gifts she developed through Educational Care—and the teenagers in her neighborhood are joining her on weekends to craft and to study the Bible.