Help 200 women in northern Uganda learn to read

Our 2013 literacy training is starting next week, and once again we are offering two levels, for our continuing students. This critical program enables women who, due to a long and brutal conflict, the opportunity to learn to read and write.

To date over 500 women have participated in the program, attending classes twice a week for eight months. When a woman learns to read and write, her whole world changes; possibilities and opportunities are created.This year we are hoping to provide 10 additional women with this transformative opportunity, totalling 110 women and their families to participate. 

In addition, our literacy students participate in many community based programs, become leaders and advocates in their communiuty. Last week some of our literacy students marched in celebration of International Women's Day. 

With the help of our Global Giving donors, we will be able to continue this important program. The best way to create sustainable human development and peace is to focus on women Access to education is a human right, thank you for your committment to social justice. 

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 

Beatrice is a participant in our literacy program, enabling her to create a brighter future and self esteem. K.S.

Links:

• Voices of Courage