Emma, a special needs teacher and farmer, became the star of a captivating episode of Daring Abroad by Alex Chamwada, where her inspiring journey from a Form Four dropout to a landowner in Norway was shared.
Growing up in a single-parent household, Emma faced numerous challenges. Raised by her mother alongside seven siblings, life wasn’t easy. Economic difficulties forced Emma and her sisters to make tough sacrifices. Some of her sisters were married off at a young age as their mother struggled to provide education for all her children.
For Emma, her education came to an abrupt halt after completing Form Four due to financial constraints. With limited options, she moved to Nairobi in search of opportunities and began working as a househelp. Despite the hardships of urban life, Emma found solace in a Life Ministries evangelical group, where she joined as a singer. This was the unexpected turning point that would reshape her destiny.
In the year 2000, Emma’s life took a dramatic shift when she traveled to Norway as part of a singing and evangelizing tour organized by Life Ministries. During this tour, she met Ole Christian, her future husband. The couple’s connection was instant, and despite only knowing each other for three weeks, they fell in love.
“We fell in love with each other, and we got married a year after,” Ole Christian shared, reflecting on their unique love story that bridged cultural and racial divides. Although there were reservations from Emma’s Kenyan pastor, who advised against getting married in Norway, the couple’s love overcame all obstacles.
The couple’s determination was further evident when Ole Christian visited Emma’s family in Mbale to seek their blessing. In a significant gesture, he paid a dowry of six cows, symbolizing their commitment and the blending of two cultures.
Today, Emma lives in Rakkestad, Norway, with her husband and family. She works as a special needs teacher and has embraced farming, managing the land they now own. Their story is one of resilience, love, and a reminder that despite the challenges of life, dreams can be realized when love and commitment guide the way.
