Raised in a slum community by a single mother after her father abandoned the family, Nassiwa Stella understands hardship in a deeply personal way. As the youngest of five children, she watched financial challenges force her older siblings to leave school, and at one point, her own education was interrupted as well. Everything changed when she joined the Child Development Program (CDP), which provided educational support, school supplies, and a strong spiritual foundation that restored hope for her family and future. Through the program, Stella grew in her faith and discovered a loving community that encouraged her to persevere despite adversity.

Today, Stella has successfully completed high school and been admitted to Africa Renewal University to pursue Journalism and Multimedia Communications. She dreams of becoming a journalist who gives a voice to marginalized communities, shines a light on important social issues, and helps bring positive change through truth and advocacy. Unfortunately, university costs are far beyond what her mother, now working as a cleaner, can afford.