STORY OF ESTHER RONGO FROM FAMILY INITIATED INCOME GENERATING ACTIVITY (IGA) SUPPORTED BY UWCM UNDER FAMILY SUPPORT IGA PROGRAM.

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

When the husband died, the relatives of the husband chased her from the marital 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 advise and help.

Esther's plight was heart rending and as a short term assistance UWCM gave her a small grant of Ug shs 180,000/= (an equivalent of US$ 100) to start on income generating activity.

She decided to trade in maize and beans - buying and selling. With the profits she was able to fend for herself and her children. Later she started putting up a house using clay and mad. When it reached roofing level she bought timber but didn't have enough money to buy iron sheets. UWCM again came in to assist and bought iron sheets and roofing nails. Esther now has a shelter of her own.

Her business has expanded and even diversified to the point of employing men on casual basis to help her break up stones into both hard core and aggregates (half inch) which she sells out to construction firms.

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 any one who cares to participate in women transformational empowerment and development.

Profits from business helped Esther to put up a shelter of her own. Esther and 2 of her 3 children standing in the door way of her own house.