Becoming the Mentor: Dorothy Nakayima's Walk from Student to Shepherd

Dorothy—known to most as Dora—has walked a remarkable path with Hope Alive! that began in childhood and now shapes her role as Site Assistant at the Kyabakuza site. Raised with three siblings by a single mother, Dorothy faced early challenges, including an absent father and a childhood marked by quiet struggle. Yet, through it all, God’s faithfulness carried her forward.

Her Hope Alive! journey started in 2006, when, as a young girl in Primary 1, she was among the first children enrolled in the program’s second intake. Dorothy vividly recalls the mix of pain and hope that day—initially turned away for being too young, only to be called back and welcomed in. From that moment on, Hope Alive! became her home, nurturing her faith, character, and leadership.

Growing up, Dorothy was quiet and introverted, feeling overlooked as the only girl among three brothers and longing for a place where she belonged. It was Beatrice—her mentor and Hope Alive! site assistant—who saw her, loved her, and filled the gap of motherly care she longed for. “Aunt Beatrice believed in me when no one else did,” Dorothy shares. Their relationship was a lifeline through school, pain, and growth, with Beatrice encouraging her and praying for her every step of the way.

Despite academic setbacks—like missing out on a government scholarship after Senior 4—Dorothy never lost trust in God. With Hope Alive!’s support and university fund, she earned a diploma and recently graduated with a bachelor’s degree in social work and social administration. Today, equipped academically and spiritually, she serves alongside Beatrice at the Kyabakuza site, supporting children, mentoring students, and fostering fellowship.

Beatrice wasn’t just a site assistant to Dorothy—she became a second mother. “At a time when I often felt unseen or unloved, she embraced me with genuine care and encouragement,” Dorothy shares. Throughout her years as a student, Beatrice was a steady source of support—praying for her, offering guidance, calling to check on her, and believing in her potential when others might have overlooked her. That care didn’t stop when Dorothy graduated from secondary school; when Beatrice became Site Manager at the new Kyabakuza site, she asked Dorothy to join her as the site assistant. Beatrice continues to walk alongside her as a mentor and prayer partner. Their partnership is rooted in faith and mutual encouragement, and together they work to bring hope and love to the children they serve.

Dorothy’s faith remains her anchor. She grew in her relationship with Christ through Hope Alive!’s Saturday Clubs, leadership summits, and church fellowships—even maintaining personal devotion in a challenging school environment where Christian fellowship was restricted. The words of Jeremiah 1:5, reminding her she was no accident, gave her peace and purpose amid hardship.

In her role, Dorothy cherishes the chance to encourage children, pray with them, and be the mentor she once needed. She knows firsthand the pain many carry—domestic struggles, rejection, trauma—but also knows the power of God’s strength to bring healing and hope. “The best gift Hope Alive! gave me was salvation,” she says simply.

When days get hard, Dorothy and her fellow mentors lean on prayer and fasting, drawing strength from the Lord’s power. Her prayer is to bring out the best in each child, just as God did in her.