/Christian News/ — Compassion International celebrates with the country of Uganda as the world’s largest child development and sponsorship organization announces the graduation of its 1,000th Leadership Development Program student.

Joanita Nannyunja of Uganda, who graduated with a better than 3.5 GPA from Makerere University in Kampala with a Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture, received her education through Compassion’s Leadership Development program, a program which enables outstanding high school graduates of the Sponsorship Program to pursue higher education. The Leadership Development Program in Uganda is commemorating ten years of service with this milestone graduation.

Nannyunja first came to Compassion after both her parents died. She was registered into the Tulina Omubeezi Child Development Center, a Compassion-assisted project in Uganda, and soon became a sponsored child.

Although life was difficult for young Nannyunja, she learned about God’s love at the center and excelled in the classes offered her. Growing up in a Muslim family, she was mistreated and even beaten several times upon her conversion by a family member who had promised to take care of her after her parents died. However, she continued to excel and soon won over her family member.

Now with a degree in agriculture, Nannyunja is already putting her knowledge to good use by reviving her mother’s business of selling cough syrup made from locally grown herbs. She was even successful in getting the drug certified by the national drug authority and is currently registering with a company to produce it. She has also caught the eye of the World Food Program and has a temporary position as a Field Operations Assistant advising farmers on product quality and crop maintenance. Through this, she plans to find sustainable solutions for both famine and drought.

Compassion International is the world’s largest Christian child development organization that permanently releases children from poverty. Founded in 1952, Compassion successfully tackles global poverty one child at a time, serving more than 1 million children in 26 of the world’s poorest countries. Recognizing that poverty is more than a lack of money, Compassion works holistically through local churches to address the individual physical, economic, educational and spiritual needs of children, enabling them to thrive, not just survive. Charity Navigator, America’s largest charity evaluator, has awarded Compassion its highest rating — four stars — for eight consecutive years.