Invest in Women

The theme this year for International Women’s Day is “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress.

We know that when we invest in a woman’s business in Uganda, she will invest that money into raising her family.  

You’ve seen my posts on how fragile a woman’s life can be in rural Uganda.  Females still continually have to fight for their rights. Often they aren’t even sure of their rights. 

Our reproductive health classes are working to bring information to women on their rights.  

We have seen many, many women band together to create savings and loan groups to help support each other in good times and bad.  They are a strong social support system for each other.

Whenever I visit Uganda, I am welcomed so warmly by the women. They welcome me into their homes and share what little food they have. Even though we often don’t speak the same language, we’re able to communicate through some of our experiences of being female and being mothers.  

This week I wanted to introduce you to a couple of these strong women.

I’ve known Justine for 14 years and I always look forward to visiting her when I go to Uganda.  I thought this recent photo of her was so beautiful. She does have a wonderful sense of humor, even though she looks serious here.  

Justine belongs to one of our women’s groups called  VACO - Vision Africa Community Organization.  They have a soap-making business they have been running for two years. Justine works hard in the business and is able to support her family.

Abiba had a very difficult year in 2023.  She is the sole support for her children and a grandchild.  She had a business growing and selling cabbages and was able to support her family.  

Then her land was seized and her cabbage crop was destroyed (by a man in power in the village). She didn’t have the resources to legally fight back. Abiba was so upset and worried. 

Thanks to you, our wonderful donors, we were able to raise money to fund the building of a chicken coop and a flock of chicks.  It will take a while for the business to start earning an income, but Abiba is relieved and excited to have this opportunity that is hers.

 In the meantime, she is selling some vegetables to make money to feed her family and we have helped her with some food relief.  

Each day we get to see the strength and resilience of women in Uganda. Thanks to all of you, we are helping accelerate their progress!

With Gratitude,

Mary

P.S. You can invest in the future of these strong women and girls in Uganda with a donation today!