Real People, Real Stories
Maureen and baby Magada
The other day I saw a news report about many of those “feel good” stories you see on social media. Evidence shows that most are AI generated and not actually true.
Well, all of our posts and stories are about real people, real situations, and real hope, and that hope is thanks to all of you!
This week Hilda brings you Maureen's story. It is one of unimaginable tragedy and struggle. But thanks to the help she receives from our Girls' Vocational Center, it's also one of hope.
I know these stories can be difficult to read, but they show what an important difference you all are making for these children!
We are the only organization providing help in these remote villages and thanks to you, we are making progress.
Here is Maureen's story, in her own words, as told to Hilda:
I remember the earliest years of my life as one that is a picture of a happy family where all was plentiful. My mother, father, two younger sisters, and I were living all together in Mitanya district in the central part of Uganda, where most people were raising cattle. My family and our neighbors were farmers who would keep and milk their cows, and grow matoke and other food staples. We had enough food for all of us.
Everything changed suddenly when one tragic night, my family was attacked by men with pangas (machetes). These men came to kill, destroy, and steal. That night, every family with animals was attacked by these ruthless men around the village. I was around six years old when the tragedy happened. We heard a loud bang, and when the whole family woke up, five men were in the house with masks on their faces and started attacking my father.
I remember my father trying to fight for his family, but he was overpowered by these men. Both my parents and others in the village were butchered mercilessly, and by the time I got out of the scaring shock, I was in the weeping hands of my grandmother. Both my mother and father were brought to Namisambiya village to be buried the next day. There was much confusion, and my four-year-old sister, Gladys, was brought to the Sanyu Orphanage in Kampala. My 3-month-old sister later died from the measles. It was tragic, and despite my young age at the time, the incident has never left my mind.
When I came to live with my grandma, the hard life started because she could barely afford a meal for us. In order to survive, we had to tend to other people's gardens in exchange for food or a meal. My grandma tried hard to educate me, and I was able to go to school until my Senior 2 year. But then, my grandma could no longer afford school fees, and I had to drop out.
Life after dropping out of school due to lack of school fees is challenging, especially for me as a teen girl. Due to needing the basics of life like food, I accepted a job to go to Mukono (near the capital of Kampala) to work as a housemaid for a family. While working there, I was lured into a relationship with one of the boss's sons. When the boss lady found out, I was sent back to the village. Then, I found out later that I had conceived.
We got to know of Maureen's story when we had taken one of our girls, Ruth, for an antenatal routine check-up. She told us of her story, and luckily, because of your support, we already had projects empowering young mothers in Namisambiya village.
She first attended our reproductive health classes, and then later on, after giving birth to her son Magada, we welcomed her to take part in our hair dressing classes. She will graduate with the rest of our girls in January!
The trauma Maureen went through left a big mark on her life. She is very reserved and quiet, and when we first met her, she couldn't even trust easily. We have, however, given her a listening ear and time and made her feel loved. The other girls are giving her friendship and support. This is slowly changing the way she perceives people, and she is starting to trust again.
Maureen says: “My hope for the future is to have a successful business so I can create security and a proper future and life for my grandma and son. I have a dream for my son to become a lawyer so that he can fight for the old and underprivileged."
As I heard Margaret's story and the opportunity she now has, which is made possible by all of you, it reminds me of Margaret Mead's words:
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."
Please know that our hearts are filled with gratitude for all you make possible, and never doubt that you make an incredible difference every day!
With Love & Gratitude,
Mary, Hilda, & Maureen
P.S.- A couple of footnotes to Maureen's story:
1.The “Panga Gang” continues to attack citizens in the Mitanya district in central Uganda, terrorizing and stealing. The authorities are doing what they can to help prevent the attacks and bring the criminals to justice.
2. Hiring out teen girls as housemaids, both in wealthier Ugandan families, and sending them overseas to the Middle East, is a common practice and often exploits the most vulnerable girls.
