In the quiet village of Busimo, Uganda, the life of eighty-five-year-old Wilberforce Bamulambe was once a portrait of silent struggle. Totally blind and aging alone, his world was defined by dependence and a deep, lingering loneliness.
“My life was full of struggles and uncertainties,” he recalls softly. “Most days, I was just surviving, not living.”
He spent his years praying simply to make it through one more day, trusting that God still saw him even when he felt utterly forgotten by the world.
His turning point arrived with the Kityerera Church Ministry Project, who partnered with Water for Good, bringing more than just infrastructure. Together, they offered a promise of transformation, embodying the story of the church itself—a body of Christ reaching out to those on the margins, just as Jesus did. They remembered the story of the blind man from birth, whom Jesus healed so that the works of God might be displayed in him. In that same spirit, the ministry saw Wilberforce as a person in whom God’s love could be revealed.
Wilberforce had suffered from constant stomach pains and skin problems from dirty water, which he could not see to avoid. For him, the arrival of safe, reliable water was nothing short of a miracle. “This program has given me a healthier and more dignified life,” he says. But the true miracle was that the wellspring of change did not stop at the water point. The team, demonstrating the love of Christ in every action, cared for his spirit as deeply as his body. They became his neighbors in the truest sense, ensuring he felt seen, valued, and loved.
Through their compassionate presence, the gospel became a living reality. Reflecting on this, the Bishop overseeing the ministry shared,
“When we bring water, we are not just digging wells; we are extending God’s love to the forgotten. We are showing every child, every elder, that they are seen and cherished. This is our faith in action.”
This powerful witness found a home in Wilberforce’s heart, leading him to a profound spiritual awakening. He now speaks of his Savior with the clarity of one who sees with his heart.
“I may be blind,” Wilberforce says, “but just like the man in the Bible, I can tell you one thing: once I was lost, and now I am found. I was sitting in darkness, but now I see the light of Jesus.”
This testimony resonates with the truth that physical sight is not a prerequisite for spiritual vision. Though his eyes cannot see, his heart sees clearly the love that surrounded him.
“Even though I am totally blind and aged, I no longer feel lost or forgotten,” he says with a quiet confidence that speaks volumes. “Jesus is with me. I have hope.”
In Busimo, his story now shines as a beacon, a testament to what happens when sustainable water, a healthy community, and God’s relentless love converge to transform a life.
