How ultimate resilience defined a story of incredible success …
Based on a true story — Michael Talemwa, Hoima, Uganda — 1979
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A splendid ray of sunshine — Michael Talemwa — is a Project Coordinator who is committed to the comprehensive development and growth of his community. He has dedicated the last 12 years of his life creating priceless opportunities for developing the skills of the youth in his society. His intense passion to strategically equip the youth for the oil and gas industry that is currently flourishing in Uganda, is truly exemplary.
A graduate teacher turned development worker, Michael has nurtured a unique perspective and a rare skill to defy impossible challenges. Influenced by the fury of untold obstacles and barriers all throughout his life, Michael dreams to inspire people all around the world with his perspectives on the power of resilience.
1. Adversity nourishes inner strength and beautiful dreams!
Amidst a burst of gunfire was a miraculous birth that withstood all odds and saw the light of the day. It was October, in 1979 when the civil war in Uganda had reached its horrific peak. People were being killed indiscriminately and those who could were running away, with what they hoped was their lives —nothing less than a rickety glass mirror that could shatter any moment. A poor catechist, Nathan Kyamanywa, who served in the lowest ranks of the village church, shuddered in his broken-down hut, as he saw the violent face of death staring right into his eyes. He had taken a hard decision and had chosen not to run for his life since he cared deeply for the safety of his wife and his unborn child that she carried; running away in that wild stampede would have meant death of either one or both.
“Please don’t harm us”, he pleaded with the vicious men, staring down the frightening barrel of doom. The army soldiers had just accused Nathan of being a spy since he had chosen not to run away like everyone else. They announced merciless death to the whole family if they were to find that their accusations were true. Luck favored the humble family when the soldiers ascertained that Nathan’s family were not spies and decided to spare their lives. Unfortunately though, that wasn’t the end of the horror — the soldiers remained and camped right in the courtyard of their poverty-stricken hut. The family was plagued by poisonous gases, ear-splitting gunfire and the burning stench of gases that arose from the camp that the soldiers pitched right in front of their house. Surrounded by a treacherous mist of death and battling the fear of a still-born child, Mama miraculously gave birth to a baby boy on the 18th of October 1979, in Ikoba, a tiny little-known mystic village, in the mid-western part of Uganda. His tiny body wrapped in an angelic banana leaf. The baby was named ‘Michael Talemwa’ in the honor of the Lord’s blessings — Talemwa meant ‘God never fails’. Michael was the third child born into yet another world of extreme poverty where difficulties, pain and suffering were destined to be his only childhood companions. Little did the new born realize that the deadly gases that he had inhaled had carved out painful perforations in his tiny intestine that would poison his childhood with deep intense pangs of agony. Unaware of the harm that the poisonous gases had done, the family ushered the new-born into life and fondly called him ‘Mugisa’ which meant ‘Lucky’.
2. Inhale the drifts of hope and exhale the fumes of fear!
Michael’s earliest memories painted terrifying pictures of his family at death’s mercy. They were the times of the civil war (1972–1979) where insurgents were fighting to overthrow the then president Idi Amin. Idi Amin was believed to have been a merciless dictator killing anyone at will, squandering the country’s limited resources and committing countless crimes against humanity. The insurgents were then under an independent army called the Uganda National Liberation Front.
By this time, Papa had been transferred to another parish in a village called Bwijanga very close to Ikoba. With the war spreading havoc - every soul was running heedlessly to save their lives, heartless soldiers fired recklessly - one’s homes could only offer shelter - safety seemed to have vanished into thin air. ‘When all else fails, God is always there’ — it was no surprise then when all the villagers of Bwijanga ran towards Papa — a familiar face that reflected ‘God’s grace’, seeking shelter from terror. Offering protection was perceived as a crime that deserved nothing but death, and Papa was dragged away by the soldiers to what was then his ordained death. Silent prayers went up in the smoke and dust, as Michael stared with dreadful pain at what could possibly be a life without Papa. It may be have been the sincere prayers or the mere sympathy of Luck, that one of the soldiers recognized Papa and the kind deeds that he had done for the villagers in the recent past. Papa and his family was left to live. Michael realized with fear that the love, care and affection of his family was short-lived. It could be burnt to ashes any day in the blink of an eye. At that tender age, he realized that the gigantic monster ‘vulnerability’ was much more ferocious than he had ever thought. It truly needed a heart of steel, to wipe away tears of fear and uncertainty, and to stand up with confidence against the dire circumstances to fight — for one’s freedom and for the right to see beautiful dreams.
3. Rough circumstances don’t last, strong minds do!
Those were times when political leadership was dictatorial and stark inequality was quite commonplace — most people were uneducated and deprived of even the basic necessities of life — they had no shelter, no water, no power, no food, no sugar, no salt — all they had was the craft-work of poverty and their limitless dreams. Michael’s childhood was no different. He had lost his right to sleep at the young age of 4. With Papa being fully dedicated to serving ‘God’, it was Mama then who had to find a way of earning money, just enough to stay alive. And so, Michael, along with his siblings, woke up every morning at 3:00 am to help Mama make their only their saving grace — ‘the delicious pancakes’ — loads and loads of them, to sell at the village market. The market was nearly 5 km away from their tiny thatched hut. As hard as it was, Michael and his siblings had no choice, but to carry the heavy baskets laden with pancakes all the way to the market each day and then sell the pancakes, with lovely happy smiles adorning their tired pale faces, alongside their beloved Mama. Little did Michael realize that the resilience he demonstrated for the well-being of his family was so strong that at an age of 4, it was unquestionably way beyond his years.
The grueling physical work however, took a heavy toll on Michael’s health. His legs became weaker by the day and he could no longer walk far distances. This meant, no ‘Kindergarten’ for Michael. In those days, Kindergarten was rare, there were very few of them and the ones that were reachable were just too far away for Michael to walk up to on a daily basis. The painstakingly made pancakes though, brought Michael just the medicine he needed to get stronger — ‘horse hooves’ — a bountiful source of calcium. A withered Mama bought little Michael horse hooves every evening from the earnings that the pancakes won for the day. And soon enough, Michael regained an impressive strength and dexterity that not only helped him join primary school but also turned him into one of the best athletes that the school ever had — a true 100m athletic champion unlike any other. He also played for the school’s football team and proved that even the impossible can become possible one day, as long one remains strong and optimistic even during the hardest of times.
4. The wilderness silences fear and lets the soul sing!
It was in primary 4 that Michael wore his first pair of shoes. For feet that were used to rough rocks, coarse sand and cracked surfaces, the pair of soft comfortable shoes felt quite alien and truly funny! As a young child Michael took full accountability of his siblings at school and protected them with so much love and care, like that of a father. Books were their treasures and Michael knew very well that once lost, they would never have the luxury of buying another. And so the responsible young Michael, collected all the books from each of his siblings after school each day to ensure that they don’t lose them on the way. A young strong mind that demonstrated immense maturity and utmost responsibility like that of an experienced parent.
5. Crisis becomes weaker when you dare to stare into its eyes!
Hoima provided vast expanses of uncultivated land that offered immense opportunity for cultivation. Mama decided to make the most of this church land to earn more income for the now bigger family that consisted of six children and a dozen of other dependents. Good education for them all demanded much more than what the pancakes could earn by themselves. As always Michael and his siblings helped Mama till the land every morning before school and every evening, once they returned home. The hard labor aggravated the pain that Michael’s weak intestines were going through. Doctors proclaimed that the poisonous gases that Michael had inhaled as a fetus had permeated his intestines boring painful perforations in them. But even more painful though, was the fact that there was no medicine to heal his suffering other than words of encouragement and the hope that it would heal magically someday. Despite the intense pain, Michael pushed himself to support Mama and his siblings and gave everything he had to make the next day as happy and satisfying as the previous one. It’s quite awe-inspiring to realize how such a young child gathered the might to motor through such bitter pain and suffering.
It was as though fate had not yet been through with its devouring antics. It brought on its next devastating wave of misery as AIDS unearthed the deep roots of Michael’s magnificent family tree that just blossomed through seasons of unseen agony. It was the late 1980's when AIDS started spreading its arms wide and far into the cities and villages of Uganda. In the poor light of ignorance, AIDS was then misunderstood to be a deadly disease that had no cure — those that it captured were considered untouchables — who were abandoned by the society and left to die. When Michael’s uncle, so bubbly and so full of life, started complaining of weakness and fatigue, everyone in the family believed that he had fallen prey to witchcraft, which was quite prevalent in those days. When his health deteriorated to a pitiful state, he was brought to Hoima for diagnosis where he was declared HIV positive. That gruesome day marked the beginning of a unsightly sequence of deaths in the family as Michael lost almost all his uncles to the fatal disease. All throughout, Papa kept the candle of awareness glowing and did whatever he could to sensitize the village about the causes, the treatment and the symptoms of the deadly disease. Papa encouraged the whole family to spread the word by making posters that they put up all throughout the village. Papa had said that even if it may pose a risk of contracting the disease, the infected were not to be left to die, instead, they were to be encouraged and given the hope to live, they were to be showered with love and care. The disease though had already snatched away a big chunk of the family’s strength and happiness, Michael lost his beloved uncles.
6. Resilience becomes a bittersweet experience!
As time went by Papa strongly encouraged all his children to complete secondary school for he knew the power that education unlocked. Knowledge was the sole penny that could buy a cheerful livelihood. ‘Papa, I will not stop at secondary, I am sure that I will learn even more!’ — said Michael with hope and determination glistening in his dreamy eyes. ‘What makes you thinks so Mike?’ — questioned Papa in surprise. ‘God never fails us Papa and I am determined to go much beyond secondary’. Mike’s determination was rock solid even as a child. With time, Papa got transferred to multiple locations as part of his job, but the family stuck together and it wasn’t long before all the kids reached secondary school. Things got harder as the family struggled to make the fees that secondary education demanded. So, together, they toiled even harder in the farms, gave it every last bit of their sweat and blood and earned just enough for even their little sister to also attend secondary school. Nothing however, stood in their way of excellence at studies, Michael and all his siblings passed with first division in every class. A matter of true pride and honor for the entire family.
Papa and Mama had always encouraged them and made them realize that each of them was unique and special. It was the strength of the values that they had imbibed in the children, that helped them fight the rude and insulting remarks at school that had by now become quite usual. There were numerous times when Michael and his siblings were accused of stealing things that went missing at school, since they appeared to be the ones that were most deprived —Sadly, ‘The poor had to be the one, of course’. While their hearts melted at such recurring accusations, nothing could waver their determination to succeed in life. With just over a year left for completing secondary school Michael overcame a close encounter with death — an incorrectly diagnosed bout of ghastly mumps that had left his life hanging on a frail thread of hope. Michael’s immunity was struck hard by the disease as it severely affected all his internal organs. Coming back to life from that terrifying tragedy was nothing short of a miracle. A miracle that was nurtured by firm resilience and resolve.
7. Being fearless becomes surprisingly rewarding!
As the finish line of secondary school came into sight, Michael was struck hard by yet another daunting blow of fate — Malaria. He fell prey to a severe malaria infection that left him nearly paralyzed. Faced with the fear of losing one whole year if he failed to write the final examinations, Michael decided to keep his illness hidden from both the school as well as his family. He urged his younger brother to nurse him at school with the meager medication that they could lay their hands on. Michael fought through another terrible wave of suffering as he brought himself back to write the final examinations, which he cleared with unbelievable grades — Mike had cleared with First Division yet again!. Over and over again, this young lad kept answering the toughest of challenges that life put forward, with such fearless determination, that he overcame every single one of them with a fascinating charm that was rare to find.
University welcomed the brave children as Michael and his elder brother and sister stepped up from secondary school. Papa’s exemplary focus on learning had earned him a post graduate degree in education and soon he was identified as the pioneer principal at the Nile Vocational Training Institute. Soon, Papa also got a wonderful opportunity of experiencing livelihood in the United Kingdom as he served in a well-known Parish there for over a year.
It was then that the light finally started to peep through the end of the dark tunnel. Papa was nominated to become the Bishop of the Bunyoro — Kitara Diocese in Hoima. This blessing brought many privileges in its stride — a magnificent house, a car, lots of exposure and plenty of opportunities of help the needy. Mike’s family stood at the entrance of a whole new world where happiness would bloom more gracefully than ever before. After numerous years of hard work, Mama could now rest, at last. This fairy-tale marvel was much beyond Mama’s dreams — her poor back had given away, with all the strenuous work she had slogged through in her golden years and this blessing had brought her the much-needed respite from weakness and sorrow.
Michael’s perseverance and dedication to studies earned him a Bachelor’s degree in education with history and economics as his teaching subjects. His unwavering resilience to bear the severe pain in his stomach since his childhood, despite the tough circumstances, had borne fruits. His health turned over a new leaf as his intestinal abnormalities miraculously resolved over time without any medication. Doctor’s confirmed that the hard manual work that Michael had forced himself to do in his childhood had slowly but steadily worked on the perforations that healed over time.
Getting a job, however, turned out to be dreadfully painstaking. With close to 80–83% of unemployment in Uganda, getting a job was a nothing short of a blessing. Those who did have jobs though faced the constant threat of colleagues who tried everything that could to steal another’s job away. Retaining a good job for long was quite a struggle. Michael found part time jobs at some schools as a teacher and started earning his very own income, that he wholeheartedly shared with his family. Well, what’s life without love? — It wasn’t long before Michael married Sylvia — the love of his life, whom he met at university in December 2005. Sylvia was a graduate of catering and hotel management, a strong lovely woman with an equally beautiful heart and together they made a perfect couple.
8. Strong convictions lay the foundation to great deeds!
As they eagerly looked forward to the birth of their first child, Michael realized the burning need for more income that a bigger family would soon demand. Instead of pursuing teaching jobs in the city, Michael made a noble decision — to earn his living by giving back to society. He went back to the very same village that had planted painful memories of the past. He decided to shower the light of secondary education in the village and uplift the children there to a whole new level of learning and enlightenment. With the kind assistance of some of his like-minded colleagues, Michael laid the foundation of the first ever secondary school, Vision Christian High School ,in Naruziba village. Michael had just lit a brilliant streak of hope that had just lighted up the entire village. It was not an easy task to set up the school as there were many obstacles to realizing his dream. “If I can make it through all the hardships that I have been through, I am ready to give everything I’ve got to help these kids here. For their sake, I’ll fight everything that stands in our path and make this happen.” thought a determined Michael. Luck favors the brave-hearted. Michael’s dream finally came true and many children from the village joined his secondary school — a strong ray of hope shining in their eyes. Soon enough, Michael registered his students in Hoima to write the final examinations and his joy knew no bounds as most of the children that he had taught cleared with First Division! It was an unforgettable heartwarming day for Michael. Today, his students have graduated and are lawyers, nurses, engineers and the like, serving society. Tears well up in Michael’s eyes as he hears back from them once in a while ‘Dear Mentor, if it wasn’t for you I would never have become a nurse today. Thank you so much for everything, You made my life!’ . This was an achievement of a lifetime for a kid who had barely managed to have a meal a day. And thus, was born a new meaning to Michael’s life.
As the school became self-sufficient Michael moved back to Hoima and took up a job with Compassion International. Along with his job, Michael continued supporting the vulnerable youth in 2007, encouraging them to dream and enabling them to fulfill their dreams. Mike saw this as an opportunity to give back to the community, the same community whose invisible warmth and affection had seen him right through all the difficulties he had faced. Michael dedicated five and a half years to this noble cause before he decided to pursue his post-graduation. Within a record time of one year and five moths instead of two whole years, Michael won his post graduate degree in Human Resource Management in Education at the Uganda Christian University, Mukono — an impeccable focus and commitment to succeed.
9. Energy and persistence, conquers it all!
It wasn’t long before a brilliant opportunity came Michael’s way while he was working with Compassion International. It was an invitation to attend an international conference in South Africa. After an unquestionably grim struggle to get his passport, that never existed, Michael flew his way down to South Africa, his very first journey outside his motherland — beloved Uganda. The conference was about HIV and AIDS, a topic that unearthed painful memories and experiences from the past. However, Michael’s experience with the deadly disease in the past proved helpful. After an eventful workshop in South Africa Michael returned to his job at Compassion International, but this time he put in considerable effort to spread awareness on HIV and AIDS and also extended support to helpless caregivers at Compassion International who had fallen prey to the disease. It isn’t quite often that opportunities come knocking on one’s door. But Michael’s fortune had just started shining bright as PACANET — a Pan African Christian AIDS network sought a talented young man to take up the role of national coordinator for Uganda. Beating all the other contestants for the job, Michael won himself the prestigious job that took him places and blessed him with plenty of opportunities to uplift the society. Excelling in his job only brought him an even bigger opportunity when he was bestowed the responsibility of coordinating not only Uganda, but 10 different African countries. His reach just turned International! Michael flew to most of the African countries, received a world class training from Netherlands, met important dignitaries and church leaders, worked on various projects, enriching his experiences and his knowledge all along. After serving PACANET for 3 and half years Michael joined VSO where he serves today as a coordinator of one of their projects which supports youth livelihood through acquisition of vocational skills in two districts. This project follows the discovery of oil and gas deposits in Michael’s home district of Hoima where the skilled youth hope to acquire jobs in the industry to improve their livelihoods.
10. Sunflowers turn towards sunlight — always.
The ups and downs of his roller coaster ride with life inspires Michael to believe in ‘Adura Omuto’ — which means ‘Never despise a child’, because one never knows who a child will grow to become one day. It’s truly a blessing if a child has a dream and that in itself is exceeding expectations! The best that we can do is to — listen patiently to their dreams, show faith in them and support them to achieve their dreams. Michael acknowledges with all his heart — “Yes, life can be darn hard at times, but you have got to give it your all. Sometimes, when you have given every bit of what you can, you might need to draw strength from your near and dear ones to keep going ahead, because one thing is for sure — The light will surely glow one day no matter how dark and how long the tunnel of life might seem to be, all that is needed is a generous dose of optimism and a big dollop of unwavering resilience.”
Michael says -“Spreading smiles all around, every day is truly a magical experience. Today, I live my dream every moment — my heart fills with happiness when I hear the humble words ‘Thank you Mike’ from the many people — people whom I encourage, people whom I help and people whom I support with all my soul.”
“It isn’t hard at all — the moment you realize that there is a path called opportunity that lies between what seems to be the possible and the impossible, you have found the golden solution to any challenge in life!” laughs Michael. A truly inspiring soul who dedicates each day of his life to lend a helping hand to anyone who has the courage to dream and the resilience to make it come true!
