Emmakulatha’s Testimony
My Testimony
My name is Emmakulatha Robert Bujiku. I was named Emmakulatha after my great grandmother. It is a
catholic name and it means pure (immaculate). I joined the Bethany family at the age of 6, and this was
because I lost my parents to AIDS when I was about 1 or 2 years old, and this left my grandmother with
the responsibility of looking after me. I have no memories of my parents at all. I grew up knowing my
grandmother was my mother as she was the only person who nurtured me and I indeed created a very
strong bond with her. My grandmother could not afford to provide for me, so when she heard about the
Bethany family, she was thrilled and immediately did all she could to ensure that I went to Bethany. I
remember my first experience at Bethany was having a bed of my own. Back at my grandmothers’ house I
slept on floor, so having to sleep on the bed all by myself was such a joy to me. I remember saying to
myself, I cannot wait to see my grandmother and I am definitely going to brag about it. Looking back
now, I am so grateful that she took me to the Bethany family, because I am now part of this amazing big
family, with lots of brothers and sisters. I have met some amazing people who will always be my family
and nothing will ever change that. I am quite aware that people have always had a stereotypical view
about orphans or orphanages, for most people, the word "orphanage" always conjures up the image of
poor little Oliver Twist pleading for more gruel, overcrowded places, places where children are abused.
Personally I come from a country were orphans are not given the time of the day. Growing up in a society
where orphans are seen as children with no values or are nothing but full of troubles was sometimes a
challenge. My personal experience shows that orphanages are wonderful places. They are full of children
who are happy and contented with whatever is provided for them by their supporters, sponsors and
carers. At Bethany I felt safe and loved, care workers, supporters or volunteers made me feel I was just
like everyone else out there. This was the same with my 100+ brothers and sisters in the orphanage.
Consequently this made me into a person who was proud of what type of family I belonged, and no matter
what everyone else thought about it, it did not make me feel ashamed of where I came from.
Living at Bethany, I had the privilege of growing up around people who contributed a lot towards my faith
in Jesus. I never once doubted that God was the reason why I became part of this amazing family. Looking
back at my life, I see the work of God and sometimes I wonder where I would be today if it was not for
God's hand on Bethany. I have came to realise the important thing in life is not about putting myself first
but it is about putting others first, saving others just like how God has used people to generously provide
for me and because of this I have learnt to put others before myself, give more than I take; and because of
this I am well prepared to make a difference in my community, in my country and Africa as a whole.
Furthermore being part of the Bethany family provided me with great opportunities, for example right after
my secondary school education in Tanzania; I was given this golden opportunity to go to the UK to study.
Initially I was not so thrilled about the idea because as many would describe me I am a home person and
always comfortable in my zone. Therefore going to England made me worry a lot and posed many
questions in my head, for example how am I going to survive in a foreign country with different people,
culture, food, weather etc? To put it simply I was scared and anxious about it. Anyway after being
reassured by people especially Graham and Sheila I decided to go. I stayed there for six years, and in that
time I managed to do a Diploma course in Child care and Education, a BA in education studies and PGCE
in lifelong learning. To be honest I have never imagined in a million years that I will one day study in a
foreign country. I am now a well qualified teacher. Becoming a teacher is a blessing in itself, it has given
me a good opportunity to share my knowledge with others and I cannot imagine myself doing another job
other than teaching. It is always a good feeling to know that the future of the world is in my classroom
today, what a blessing! Studying in the UK was worthwhile and it was such an eye opening experience to
me as it gave me the opportunity to learn and grow. I will forever be grateful to Graham and Sheila who
took their time to look after me during the whole time I was in the UK. They were there through the ups
and downs and never once gave up on me. They have greatly inspired me to definitely make a difference
in my own country.
Living at Bethany, has really changed my life, not only in terms of being able to eat, go to school or sleep,
but Bethany has given me more. Bethany has shown me what it means to have a place where you can
call home and has unquestionably made me realise that family is not always about the people in your life
who are blood related. It is about the people in your life who want you in theirs. It is about the people in
your life who accept you for who you are, who support you in the things you choose to do and no matter
what are there for you. It is about people who love you. Now to me that's family. Bethany has given me a
home, a place where I have and still receive a lot of love, care and support. Sometimes I ask myself, '
where would I be today, if it was not for Bethany?' and the first things that comes in my mind are probably
dead, married with children who I cannot take care of, homeless or even a prostitute. I am forever grateful
to God, the Bethany family and all who made it possible for me to be where I am today. Growing up at
Bethany was the best thing that has ever happened to me and I will always treasure all the memories I
have spent there. I sincerely mean every word I say.
I am very grateful to everyone who has played part in my life, because without them I would not be where I
am today. The only way of paying back what I have received from being part of the Bethany is to pay
forward to others. I pray and hope that I will continue to have the courage and wisdom to never lose the
vision of helping others like how I was generously helped. If you are reading this now, please do keep me
in your prayers as I clearly know that I still have a long way to go and of course there are going to be a lot
of temptations, challenges and obstacles along the way. God bless you.
catholic name and it means pure (immaculate). I joined the Bethany family at the age of 6, and this was
because I lost my parents to AIDS when I was about 1 or 2 years old, and this left my grandmother with
the responsibility of looking after me. I have no memories of my parents at all. I grew up knowing my
grandmother was my mother as she was the only person who nurtured me and I indeed created a very
strong bond with her. My grandmother could not afford to provide for me, so when she heard about the
Bethany family, she was thrilled and immediately did all she could to ensure that I went to Bethany. I
remember my first experience at Bethany was having a bed of my own. Back at my grandmothers’ house I
slept on floor, so having to sleep on the bed all by myself was such a joy to me. I remember saying to
myself, I cannot wait to see my grandmother and I am definitely going to brag about it. Looking back
now, I am so grateful that she took me to the Bethany family, because I am now part of this amazing big
family, with lots of brothers and sisters. I have met some amazing people who will always be my family
and nothing will ever change that. I am quite aware that people have always had a stereotypical view
about orphans or orphanages, for most people, the word "orphanage" always conjures up the image of
poor little Oliver Twist pleading for more gruel, overcrowded places, places where children are abused.
Personally I come from a country were orphans are not given the time of the day. Growing up in a society
where orphans are seen as children with no values or are nothing but full of troubles was sometimes a
challenge. My personal experience shows that orphanages are wonderful places. They are full of children
who are happy and contented with whatever is provided for them by their supporters, sponsors and
carers. At Bethany I felt safe and loved, care workers, supporters or volunteers made me feel I was just
like everyone else out there. This was the same with my 100+ brothers and sisters in the orphanage.
Consequently this made me into a person who was proud of what type of family I belonged, and no matter
what everyone else thought about it, it did not make me feel ashamed of where I came from.
Living at Bethany, I had the privilege of growing up around people who contributed a lot towards my faith
in Jesus. I never once doubted that God was the reason why I became part of this amazing family. Looking
back at my life, I see the work of God and sometimes I wonder where I would be today if it was not for
God's hand on Bethany. I have came to realise the important thing in life is not about putting myself first
but it is about putting others first, saving others just like how God has used people to generously provide
for me and because of this I have learnt to put others before myself, give more than I take; and because of
this I am well prepared to make a difference in my community, in my country and Africa as a whole.
Furthermore being part of the Bethany family provided me with great opportunities, for example right after
my secondary school education in Tanzania; I was given this golden opportunity to go to the UK to study.
Initially I was not so thrilled about the idea because as many would describe me I am a home person and
always comfortable in my zone. Therefore going to England made me worry a lot and posed many
questions in my head, for example how am I going to survive in a foreign country with different people,
culture, food, weather etc? To put it simply I was scared and anxious about it. Anyway after being
reassured by people especially Graham and Sheila I decided to go. I stayed there for six years, and in that
time I managed to do a Diploma course in Child care and Education, a BA in education studies and PGCE
in lifelong learning. To be honest I have never imagined in a million years that I will one day study in a
foreign country. I am now a well qualified teacher. Becoming a teacher is a blessing in itself, it has given
me a good opportunity to share my knowledge with others and I cannot imagine myself doing another job
other than teaching. It is always a good feeling to know that the future of the world is in my classroom
today, what a blessing! Studying in the UK was worthwhile and it was such an eye opening experience to
me as it gave me the opportunity to learn and grow. I will forever be grateful to Graham and Sheila who
took their time to look after me during the whole time I was in the UK. They were there through the ups
and downs and never once gave up on me. They have greatly inspired me to definitely make a difference
in my own country.
Living at Bethany, has really changed my life, not only in terms of being able to eat, go to school or sleep,
but Bethany has given me more. Bethany has shown me what it means to have a place where you can
call home and has unquestionably made me realise that family is not always about the people in your life
who are blood related. It is about the people in your life who want you in theirs. It is about the people in
your life who accept you for who you are, who support you in the things you choose to do and no matter
what are there for you. It is about people who love you. Now to me that's family. Bethany has given me a
home, a place where I have and still receive a lot of love, care and support. Sometimes I ask myself, '
where would I be today, if it was not for Bethany?' and the first things that comes in my mind are probably
dead, married with children who I cannot take care of, homeless or even a prostitute. I am forever grateful
to God, the Bethany family and all who made it possible for me to be where I am today. Growing up at
Bethany was the best thing that has ever happened to me and I will always treasure all the memories I
have spent there. I sincerely mean every word I say.
I am very grateful to everyone who has played part in my life, because without them I would not be where I
am today. The only way of paying back what I have received from being part of the Bethany is to pay
forward to others. I pray and hope that I will continue to have the courage and wisdom to never lose the
vision of helping others like how I was generously helped. If you are reading this now, please do keep me
in your prayers as I clearly know that I still have a long way to go and of course there are going to be a lot
of temptations, challenges and obstacles along the way. God bless you.
