Initially, UWCM trained and supported individual women on how to live positively with HIV/AIDS and these women then went out to encourage and support other women in similar situations within their communities.

They offered spiritual and emotional support and friendship, as well as advice on basic healthcare and nutrition.

This then evolved into larger groups of women supported by UWCM and they are encouraged to start small income-generating projects, eg selling vegetables, dressmaking, bee keeping, goat rearing

UWCM encourage the groups to care for orphans in their communities.

UWCM staff visit every couple of months to run training workshops for all groups to share ideas and to encourage and learn from each other.

Some of these Women's Groups are still going strong after 10 years.

STORY OF ESTHER RONGO, SUPPORTED BY OUR FAMILY INITIATED INCOME GENERATING ACTIVITY (IGA)

Esther Rongo is a young widow aged 26. Her husband died of AIDS, leaving her 3 children aged 7, 4 and 3.

When the husband died, the relatives of the husband chased her from the marital home and she became homeless. A kind woman showed her compassion by offering one of the rooms in her house where she stayed for some time.
Later she heard about Uganda Women Concern Ministry (UWCM) and visited them for advice and help.

In her own words "My life has been transformed from hopelessness to a life of dignity. I am no longer despised. In fact I am now respected. This is because Uganda Women Concern Ministry helped me. May God bless UWCM and those who support it."

Esther's life was not only changed but transformed for the better and hope restored because someone cared.

UWCM provides an opportunity for anyone who cares to participate in women's transformational empowerment and development.

Profits from her business helped Esther to put up a shelter of her own. This is Esther and two of her three children standing in the door way of her own house.