Alumni Outreach at Kampiringisa Rehabilitation Centre
On Saturday, March 8, 2025, a group of 86 university students who are alumni of LASS walked through the gates of Kampiringisa Juvenile Rehabilitation Centre for a special outreach with a powerful message—“Self-Worth and Identity.” Their mission was simple: to remind each child that they matter, that they are loved, and that they were created for a purpose, just as Psalm 139:13-14 and Jeremiah 1:5 declare.
The day began with a hands-on cleaning activity. Students and juveniles were paired up and sent to sweep, mop, and tidy up different areas of the facility. At first, there was hesitation and silence, but as brooms moved and floors sparkled, so did conversations. “At first, some of us didn’t know how to even begin talking,” shared Sarah, one of the student volunteers. “But as we cleaned together, the conversations just started flowing.” What started as a service task became a beautiful opportunity for connection and understanding.
Once the cleaning was done, everyone gathered for a shared lunch. There were no separate tables, no hierarchy—just students and juveniles sitting side by side, sharing food and stories. “It meant a lot to sit and eat with them, not just serve them; that moment reminded all of us that we are the same at heart,” said one of the student leaders. The meal helped break more walls, allowing the young people to relax, open up, and feel seen.
The heart of the outreach came during the afternoon group sessions. The students divided into nine small groups and invited the juveniles to talk openly about their lives, their dreams, and the theme of the day—identity and self-worth. They shared deeply from scripture and personal stories, reminding each child that they are not defined by their mistakes but by God’s purpose for their lives. The conversations were honest and raw. “I never knew God cared about someone like me,” said one of the juveniles. Another asked quietly, “You mean God knew me before I was born?” You could feel something shifting in the room.
And then the moment came—over 20 children made the decision to give their lives to Jesus. One by one, with eyes full of hope, they said yes to a new beginning. “We didn’t expect it,” said Maggie, one of the students. “We just came to serve. But God showed up in a way none of us will ever forget.” The joy was quiet but deep, like seeds planted in good soil.
Although the day was meant to end with football and volleyball games, the rain came down heavily, washing out the sports activities. But no one was disappointed. “The rain didn’t stop the most important thing from happening,” said a staff member at the prison. “We saw change in their eyes.” The center’s administrator also expressed gratitude, saying, “We are so grateful to LEAD 4africa. This kind of interaction is what our boys need—not just food or games, but hope and purpose.”
Before the students left, they handed out gifts they had pooled funds to purchase—books, soap, board games, footballs, and volleyballs. These items were received with smiles, but it was clear that what truly remained was the love they had shown and the message they had shared: you are not forgotten.
As the students boarded the bus to leave, the mood was reflective. “We came thinking we would give, But I think we received just as much.” Said one of the students. It was a day of true transformation—one that brought 20 young people into the family of God and reminded everyone present that when love meets truth, lives are changed forever.
