Success story
As a mother of seven I had no idea about how my life would be after the impact of the LRA War. I was abducted at the age of six and returned with two children, I hardly knew what to do with my life because my parents were gone. After a few years I met a man whom I thought would provide me with all the security I needed, all was a myth because he kept beating me each time I asked for money and whenever he came home drunk causing even more pain and suffering. With all the pain I wanted to return to the bush where life was much easier but whenever I looked at my children I felt they needed me because no one could look after them after I was gone. It was then that I started growing vegetables and selling but the money was not even enough to cater for our upkeep because my husband could even take it away from me.
I had one problem after the other, with no one to turn to but one day I met a group of Women Benefiting from WGEF, after several days, a peer counselor shared with me a lot about what I was going through and introduced me to the Program, due to my low self esteem I feared to be among other women but gradually I gained the courage.
My life has now changed not only because of the loans but also the trainings that I received. I managed to start up a business and a live stock project which is helping me pay school fees and other basic needs; I also bought a bicycle from the profits which has eased the transportation of my products to the market. At this point the relationship within my family has improved and we are working together to provide for our family, people in my community now respect me and I am now even a community leader, something I thought wasn’t meant for me. At last I have the hope that was long gone.
“Please fellow women, do not think whatever you went through or are going through cannot change – we can rise above poverty once equipped with the right tools”
“Akello Beatrice – Bungatira” God Bless WGEF
To address the issue of inequality, HIV/AIDS, gender based violence, food security, land rights and other issues facing women in northern Uganda, Women’s Global Empowerment Fund hosts a drama festival, Kikopo Pa Mon. Women in our microfinance program create original plays highlighting their stories using music, drama, and dance.
The festival provides a stigma-free environment in which to talk about sensitive subject matters; promoted unity and team building; and offered women the opportunity to be creative and innovative and highlights the power of theatre.
By encouraging the idea of traditional music, dance, and drama in the local language, the culture of the area would be preserved, and the relevance of these issues to the community would be elevated. Due to the positive response and overwhelming success of the event, Women’s Global will host Kikopo Pa Mon annually.
October 6th we will host our 5th annual festival; this year's theme: The Role of Women in Peace building and Development in Northern Uganda.
In 2012 WGEF created a two-tiered literacy class. With the help of Global Giving donors, we are offering women who have participated in the past, wanting to further their literacy training the opportunity to attend level two classes. We have 100 women participating, learning skills, creating a brighter future. Literacy is extremely important to our clients, many of whom are formerly abducted child soldiers, sex slaves and former IDP's. When a woman learns to read and write, her whole world opens up....
As we head into the second half of our schedule, we are hopeful donors will continue to support our literacy program; we want to include 25 additional women in the beginning class and are hopeful we can make that happen. As part of our program participants will be hosting a debate, highlighting new abilities, addressing the issues of educating women and girls. This event will occur in conjunction with our annual drama festival in October.
Say 'Yes' to literacy, empowerment and equality! Thank you for your commitment to social justice and women's empowerment!
