Meet Kennedy
Kennedy grew up in Morobo, South Sudan where he attended primary school. As a boy, Kennedy would sit playing with wires, batteries, and other electronics figuring out how they worked for hours. This childhood play sparked his interest in learning more about electricity.
Kennedy was able to attend Nehemiah Secondary School in Yei, South Sudan. He graduated and began working in Yei and around the church using his self-taught electrical skills.
In 2018, he moved to Arua with His Voice Global to begin the certificate program in electronics. He attended Ragem Arua Technical College until the pandemic hit in March 2020. This has delayed Kennedy’s education and he has one paper left to finish before graduating with the certificate program and continuing his education. He is hoping to enroll at Uganda Technical College in Lira, Uganda soon to work on his diploma. This diploma will help open more job opportunities for him.
Even though the pandemic has delayed Kennedy’s education, this has not slowed him down.
Kennedy has been using his education and gaining on the job experience over the past two years. Kennedy works on our family mentor homes when electrical work is needed. Our contactors who have been building our facilities at Arise approached Kennedy about working with them on the electrical needs for the Main Hall. Our Main Hall runs completely on solar. Kennedy worked on many projects for the Main Hall including installing the solar, running wires, hanging lights, etc.
He is the sole electrical worker for our Shine program. First he installed small solar panels at Marianna’s house, then added solar to two homes we helped repair and finish out, and will be adding solar for our second home build that began just last week. Kennedy enjoys working with clients in the Shine program because he able to encourage our clients by reminding them they are loved.
Kennedy’s work has extended outside of our HVG family to the community. He was able to help a friend who is a pastor and a long-time mentor to him by installing solar for his church. Friends from our missionary community in Arua have employed him to work in their houses. Last week, Kennedy finished a project in the nearby Mvara community where he was able to enlist the help of two boys and teach them about electrical work!
It seems to us that he is coming full circle. From a boy playing by testing wires and batteries to see what they do, to attending a technical school, to most recently training two other boys in electrical work on a project. His goal, after finishing his diploma, is to have his own business while employing and teaching others.
Some fun facts about Kennedy:
Kennedy has so much energy. He is quite the dancer and loves to entertain with his dancing skills at student gatherings. He enjoys singing, playing drums, and working out. Like most children in South Sudan and Uganda, Kennedy grew up playing soccer. He often dominates in student volleyball games, soccer games, or any games because Kennedy is an athlete. If you find him sitting down, it will most likely only be when soccer is on TV. He is an avid Arsenal fan and puts as much energy into cheering for his team as he does when he is playing soccer himself!
Kennedy loves others and loves the Lord. Knowing God has helped him to know himself better. He says, “God protects me, provides for me, and give me a desire for His righteousness. He does not lead me to be ignorant or absent from the brokenness of the world. To know God is to be aware of sin.” Kennedy has seen God use the tough times to work in his life to be able to talk to others who are experiencing difficulties or have made bad decisions and offer godly advice.
He is aware of the needs around him and seeks to offer encouragement and love to others.
We know you have enjoyed meeting Kennedy. Please pray for him as he works to finish his last paper at Ragem so that he will be able to move on to Uganda Technical College for his diploma in electronics. Pray for his walk with the Lord to grow and remain strong.