Through training from Tearfund’s faithful partner in Uganda, Vision Terudo, Winnie has not only gained the ability to support herself – she is now providing for her family and extending that impact into her community, ensuring others also have a seat at the table. Here, Winnie shares her story in her own words.
“When my father died my mother was left with the responsibility of raising me and my seven siblings. My father was the one who was able to pay for my education, so when he died I had no hope for my future.
For girls in my community who can’t go to school, our parents see our only options as getting married. Often a man will come along and offer to support the child and look after her… sometimes the girls are only 12 or 13 years old... Other girls are forced to go to the forest to burn charcoal for sale. It is very dangerous.
I’m so thankful to Vision Terudo, because that is not my story. After my father died I was able to attend Bakery training with Vision Terudo and now my life has really changed. I make food like Mandazi (a fried dough snack) and cassava chips that I take and sell at the local markets. In one day I can make 30,000 shillings. If I was burning charcoal I might only get 5,000, and that’s not even guaranteed.
Because of my income, I can now contribute to family expenses. I buy food and soap for my mother and my siblings, and now I’ve even started to pay my brother’s school fees! Lately I’ve been able to open a small shop where I also sell vegetables like tomatoes and onions.
My mum and my family are really proud of me, and people in the community have begun to admire my work. They come and stand to watch while I’m cooking my mandazi, so I’ve started training five other women to also bake with me, and others are waiting too.
I’m glad I have these skills, because it’s not yet time for me to marry. I want to run my businesses and one day I want to open a big hotel. If I have children one day, I want them to have these opportunities too. I’m so grateful to Vision Terudo because without them, my life would be so different!”
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