Meet Sam Dratema

Sam Dratema is the Country Director at Cherish Uganda

Sam (pictured in the center)

“I am a father of one, but we have 8 people in our home; my wife Barbra, our daughter Abigail, two sisters of mine, a house help, Barbra’s little sister and nephew. I was born in Lugazi, Mukono district, lived in Jinja for 8 years but my parents were from West Nile, Arua district. Due to places I grew up from, I speak 5 languages including English and Lugbara which is my parents native language. I attended Kyambogo University to become a teacher. Cherish was my first job out of college, I joined the Cherish Family on 20th May 2008. In my time here, I worked as a teacher for 6 and a half years and then worked as an Executive assistant, Administrative Assistant, Operations Manager,  Director of Operations and now I hold the role of Country Director. My favorite part of my role is seeing people grow more into who God has called them to be step by step, being a part of a team that values each other. I love being a part of a team that focuses on growing me as I grow others, a team that loves and cares about me. I love work being fun.

Sam’s wife Barbra and daughter Abigail

I am thankful that I have grown in my abilities to lead. The experiences of leadership at Cherish have helped me become a better husband, leader in different capacities beyond Cherish and learnt that It’s about God and people; it’s about serving. I hope the legacy I leave here is a culture based on the Bible and not religion or tradition, one that will draw more to Jesus in freedom.

A fun fact that you might not know is that I was among the fastest runners and maybe the fastest at school but I did not know  until I was 18. I competed against the best sprinters who were on practice and I came second and then decided to go against them during the schools athletics competition and I led them all.  My favorite food is Lasagna.  

My favorite Bible verse is Matthew 7:12 “ Whatever you desire others to do to you, do so to others....”.   My favorite memory working at Cherish is seeing children come into our care with no hope of living for even the next few days and seeing them change and become strong and soooo healthy with undetectable viral load, and having so much hope for life and the beauty of seeing them grow.”

Sam in Texas, cooking with the Phillips family!