In the heart of rural Uganda, 26-year-old Annet’s story shines as a beacon of community support and personal resilience. A devoted mother to her five biological children and her 12-year-old niece, Grace (a pseudonym), who is living with HIV, Annet’s life has been transformed through the support of a Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) and Mildmay Uganda’s household livelihood program.
Gulam Shabirah is a 20-year-old young mother to baby August Portrait Kakooza 2 years old. She grew up with her father in Soroti Eastern region with 3 siblings. In 2014 while in senior three, her father could not support her senior four level education due to economic challenges. Gulam, had a dream of becoming a fashion designer. To achieve this, she moved to her maternal Aunt in Namasuba, Kampala for further education. She was able to complete her senior four level in 2015. However, for two years, Gulam couldn’t raise capital to pursue her dream profession - Fashion Designer.
Growing up in the rural area of Kyazanga, Masaka District central Uganda, located over 100 kilometres from Kampala, Zahara (Photo above) grew up with 4 siblings. She always dreamed of becoming an event manager to design and plan events in her community. Zahara, couldn’t see this dream come true. At 18 years, she dropped out of school. Zahara was sent by her mother to live with her elder sister in Seguku - Makindye Division, an urban slum near Mildmay Uganda hospital.
Growing up in the rural areas of Mityana district, over fifty kilometers from Kampala, 20 year Victoria aspired to be a lawyer- a profession she would use to protect children and other vulnerable people in her community. At the age of four, victoria’s parents encouraged to pursue her dream.
Her dream profession was shattered when her parent’s income changed. She dropped out of school and was left to fend for her life as young girl. “We went on for days without meals and basic necessities. We lived a miserable and appalling life,” narrates Victoria.