Living Faithfully; Lonnah Arwako's Journey of Service and Motherhood
When you meet Lonnah Arwako, her calm presence and warm laugh make you feel instantly welcomed. Whether she’s juggling logistics for multiple Hope Alive! sites or checking in with sponsors to make sure each child’s needs are met, Lonnah brings both precision and heart to her work. But ask her what matters most? She’ll mention her 12-year-old daughter, Abigail—energetic, talkative, and full of dreams.
“I thought she’d calm down as a tween,” Lonnah jokes. “But not yet!”
Lonnah serves as the operations manager in the country office in Kampala, keeping the behind-the-scenes workings of Hope Alive! running smoothly. From HR responsibilities to child sponsorship coordination, she makes sure things are done with excellence—from the country office to every site. “I do the background stuff,” she says simply, but those quiet, everyday tasks are what help the whole ministry function with care and consistency.
Her Hope Alive! journey started years ago through her home church, where Hope Alive! founder Catharine Coon was deeply involved. When Lonnah was still in university, she was asked to begin mentoring younger students—and she’s never really stopped. Her roles have grown from mentoring to project assistant , to sponsorship coordinator and now to operations manager.
But her commitment to service didn’t begin—or end—at Hope Alive!. At the center of Lonnah’s life is her deep and steady faith. Raised by a single mother after her father passed away when she was just a baby, Lonnah and her brother grew up in a missionary church, where her Sunday School teacher, Aunt Ivy, first sparked her love for Jesus. She’s been part of Lugogo Baptist since she was three years old, and it has remained her spiritual home ever since. The church that shaped her childhood is still where she serves today—now alongside a pastor and other ministry leaders who were once childhood friends.
Even during her university years, Lonnah would make the weekly trip home to attend Sunday services. “I needed that connection,” she reflects. Her faith community has always been more than a place of worship—it’s where her friendships were formed, where her gifts were nurtured, and where she learned to walk with Jesus in every season. Today, she continues to serve on the worship team and finds deep encouragement and accountability through her cell group—a tight-knit circle of believers who walk life together.
As a single mom, Lonnah balances a full plate. Her days begin at 4:30 a.m.—getting Abigail ready for school, then preparing for her own workday. Evenings are for pick-up, dinner, and a few quiet moments before bed. “Some days I just sit. Other days, I catch up on laundry or organizing,” she laughs.
And yet, she’s intentional about making time for joy. One of their traditions is to grab ice cream or breakfast together before each school term starts. It’s a little celebration of their bond, their journey, and the season ahead.
“I’m proud that I’ve been able to give her what she needs,” Lonnah says. “Her glasses, her school needs—those little things that matter.”
She’s also proud of how her work shapes Abigail’s view of the world. While many kids are drawn to becoming YouTubers or influencers, Lonnah hopes her daughter also sees the value of meaningful, grounded work. “I want her to know it’s not just about TikTok or videos—it’s about changing lives, about having a positive impact.”
Hope Alive! has even shaped the way she mothers. “Growing up, everything felt as though it were all about academics. But Hope Alive! reminds me—and reminds her—that value isn’t just about school performance. It’s about who God made you to be.” That’s a central focus at Hope Alive!—helping children understand their identity in Christ and their unique gifts and talents, even if they aren’t at the top of the class.
Whether in the office, at home, or in church, Lonnah lives this truth. And in every season, she’s building something far greater than a career—she’s building a life of faith, purpose, and love.
