From Nothing to Abundance – a 100 Women Club Transformation Story

Over two months ago, on my most recent trip to Uganda, I was blown away to hear the words above (kindly translated by COU staff) from one of our beneficiaries – Jenesta Nakadde. That’s because only a year ago, Jenesta and her 4 small children were on the brink of starvation.

I remember back then Jenesta and her son Disciple (who at the time had recently joined our sponsorship program) being selected among 18 of our most vulnerable families to receive emergency meals in response to Uganda’s prolonged drought. Jenesta tried unsuccessfully for many seasons to grow coffee (a cash crop) and plantains on the land she inherited from her husband. For months, she could barely harvest enough to provide one meal a day and the drought only devasted the family more.

But here she was, one year later, standing before my eyes in a bountiful plantation – beaming with pride and hope for the future. You see, Jenesta was selected to participate in the first phase of Income Generating Activities (IGA’s) supported by The 100 Women Club. She received skills training, farm implements, natural fertilizers and quality seeds to boost her production. Jenesta learned how to cultivate the land, grow her business and build up a savings.

The output from Jenesta’s garden tripled that first season! Her children now receive nutritious meals and the growing surplus of her crops is sold to meet other needs such as school fees and requirements. Today, this single-mother is confident she can make it on her own.

Thanks to the generosity and support of friends like you, Jenesta shared with me how grateful she is to see all of her dreams within reach, including:

• Educating all 4 of her children (Disciple is in school thanks to his sponsor!).
• Building a new home for her family – a safe and secure one.
• Expanding her already thriving plantation by purchasing additional land.

Jenesta’s 8-year-old son Disciple, and all of his fellow classmates went back to school several weeks ago to complete their 3rd and final term of the 2018 academic year. They each hold dreams of their own; and yet, many of our students have written letters to sponsors expressing great concern about their siblings not in school or the financial burden of requirements on their guardians.

Because truthfully, the vast majority of Ugandan parents and guardians have not been as fortunate and are struggling to meet the very basic needs of their families – let alone pay for their children’s schooling. And yet, Jenesta’s story shows us that with access to education, proper resources and a strong determination you can achieve independence.

Jenesta had no hope before Children of Uganda – she told me that word for word. But thanks to our supporters, she is building an empire to secure her family’s future. Thank you for being a part of this amazing transformation.

If you would like to directly support another deserving guardian’s income-generating project, we would like to invite you to join The 100 Women Club or make a one-time designated gift today. If you have any questions, please contact pamela@childrenofuganda.org or call 800-531-9612.