Wisdom from Ruth

Thanks to all of you, our brave and beautiful Ruth is learning and helping others!

This week, we're bringing you another story from one of our girls in Uganda.

 This is Ruth's story as told to Hilda:

At just nine years of age, Ruth's life changed dramatically. Her parents separated and her father took her away from her mother and moved to another village. Ruth's father loved her very much and tried to give her a good life. But when he was away from their home for work, Ruth's stepmother was very mean to her.

Real trouble in Ruth's life started when one day she waited for her father to return from work, but he never came home. Weeks passed, then months, but her father never came back and no one knew what happened to him.

Ruth's stepmother would beat her and then tell her to leave and go look for her mother. Ruth was too young to go out on her own, and she says the abuse from her stepmother worsened.  Ruth tried to escape and was helped by an elderly neighbor who brought her to the local chairperson of the village.

The chairperson tried to locate Ruth's mom but couldn't find her. She was able to find an aunt of Ruth's in Buwudha village who took her in. The aunt was able to get Ruth enrolled once again in school.  Due to the distance to school, Ruth would sometimes get a boda ride (motorbike) from a man she knew. Unfortunately, one day she was attacked by the man. He ran away and was never caught. As weeks passed, Ruth realized she was pregnant. She sadly had to leave school.

The local chairwoman, who is the female head of the village, was concerned about Ruth because of her young age. She contacted us at CLP because she knew of our Girls' Vocational Center. It is the only resource in the area, and we get many girls who are victims of violence come to us for help.

Ruth enrolled in our tailoring classes. She came each day classes were held and quickly began learning to sew.  We were able to give Ruth support and counseling. Through our partnership with Donorsee, we connected Ruth with donors who supported her in getting baby supplies, and she was able to have a safe delivery in a clinic.  

At just 15 years old, with no parents to care for her, Ruth gave birth to her son, Nelson. She was so afraid, and was a child having a child. We remember seeing the fear in her face.

Ruth's aunt has continued to provide her with a place to stay for the time being.  Ruth recently found out that her mother died, and she still doesn't know what happened to her father.

Once Ruth was able, she resumed tailoring classes at our center. She is very dedicated and determined, and learns as much as she can. A few weeks ago, Ruth was one of the students selected to start working at our craft store in Kamuli Town. (A pic of her and Nelson was in last week's email.) This will help her learn business skills and eventually provide her with a small income. 

Ruth says she dreams of a future where her son won't have all of the difficulties she had. Her hope is for him to learn a skill and maybe become a carpenter because she feels that hands-on skills are important. 

Ruth is very grateful for all the help and support she has received from our CLP team, the other girls, and the donors who have supported her.

At just 16 years of age, Ruth says she realizes that the people who support you, and care for you, can be more of a family than those related by blood. 

Ruth with Nelson the day he was born, and my visit 4 days later.

I was able to visit Ruth and hold baby Nelson when he was just four days old. Ruth seemed so overwhelmed by all she had been through, and was still in quite a bit of pain.

 It's wonderful to see her now holding her head up high and taking pride in learning, working and earning money.

This is what you all make possible with your donations. Without help from our community of donors, Ruth and Nelson's outcome would be different. Life in rural Uganda is very challenging, with few opportunities, especially for girls. But Ruth now has skills and a vision for her future, and that is thanks to all of you.

Thank you for partnering with us and investing in the future of our children!

With Gratitude,

Mary & Hilda

P.S.-   Here's a bonus video of my visit with Ruth. If you're enjoying our weekly Impact Updates, feel free to share our uplifting news with a friend!