PHOTO ALBUM 2015
Living Hope was established in January 2008 to restore dignity to vulnerable women, most of whom are HIV+, single mothers and returnees from abduction into the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) who ravaged northern Uganda. Some of these women were brutally mutilated and bear the scars of war; others were used as sex slaves, all of them disenfranchised and victims of circumstances they did not create. Through Living Hope, vulnerable women are given a hand up and are empowered to take care of themselves and their children. They receive assistance with basic necessities, are given vocational skills and are either employed with the program or provided with microfinance loans to start incomegenerating projects of their own.
Kampala
Production Centre Opened in 2008, the Living Hope Centre in Kampala, Uganda is located at Watoto Church’s head office downtown. The unit in Kampala facilitates tailoring, liquid soap and candle making. The facility hosts more than 30 ladies who are employed as seamstresses for income-generating activities. Discipleship, business training and adult literacy classes are also offered at this location.
Gulu
Production Centre The Gulu facility is located in the former Night Commuter Centre on Coronation Road, in Pece Valley. The centre was built to protect children from abduction during the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rebel war. In the aftermath, Gulu district chose to allocate it to Living Hope (rent free) in support of empowering women affected by war. In the Gulu facility the women specialise in peanut butter making, beekeeping and shea butter development. Discipleship, business training and adult literacy classes are also facilitated at this location.
Gusco Centre Gusco is a beautiful centre in the heart of Gulu, which was refurbished in 2011 to provide a tranquil environment for women who had been brutally mutilated during the LRA rebel war. As a result of these mutilations, ladies were ostracised by the community and were unable to freely live in society. The program at Gusco aims to help the ladies deal with the trauma of their past. Here they learn to forgive and find acceptance by experiencing the love of God and living a productive life. The ladies also receive discipleship, small business management skills, tools to run a small-scale farm and start-up capital.
January A New Beginning
Since her husband’s death, Milly over-exerted herself trying to provide for her children. When she couldn’t make ends meet, she borrowed money from friends. Her health began to suffer because of the stress from a demanding workplace and the debts she accumulated. Last year she joined Living Hope where her health and hope have been restored. Milly was able to pay off all her debts after one week at our jewellery department. “This new stability in my life will help me focus on getting my children through school,” she said.
February The Right Path
Last year, Jen learned how to forgive and let go of the past. She started this year learning more about patience and control. “I’m learning that God loves us. This has helped me to exercise self-control and not lose my temper,” she said. These practical lessons have changed the way she does life. “The character classes strengthen the women’s confidence and help them rebuild what was lost. They discover their abilities and it leads them to self awareness,” said Anne Butesi, a counsellor. We are excited to see these women flourish.
March A Haven of Peace
Our workshop is a refuge to women who had no hope and a place where they can escape the stress of everyday life. Here, they focus on the intricate work at hand as they talk with friends. Sulaina is an HIV+ single mother of three. When she came to Living Hope, she was jobless. “Living Hope has helped me become a provider. I don’t have to beg anymore,” she said. At our workshop, she was able to overcome her insecurity. Today Sulaina feels confident. “I have learned how to deal with stress. I feel at peace here. I wouldn’t choose anything else because this has changed my life,” she said.
April
Knowledge is Power “Anything on paper appeared blank to me, and I was not confident” said Sarah Nabukobero who can now read and write without her teacher’s help. Today, Sarah looks forward to her lessons because she feels confident enough to participate. “I can now talk without fear. It’s a great opportunity that carries on beyond the classroom, helping me communicate and read. Even in my community I’m able to share with others what I have learned,” she said. Last month our ladies concluded their literacy classes and moved forward into skills training. Your partnership makes their empowerment possible.
May
Stepping up to leadership Gertrude Kamuli, a Living Hope cell leader, describes cell as a place where one to ten people meet to share, pray and learn from each other. The women learned that character is key in cell leadership. Through the training they have grown and become self-driven. They came to every lesson, showing great commitment and determination. “I learnt how to solve challenges that come my way and how to be responsible, which will make me a better leader,� said Gertrude. These Living Hope cell groups enable us to reach and build communities. To engage a woman in her community through cell, email us at: livinghope@watoto.com
June
Determination
Janet Nakabuye is one of seven new ladies who recently joined the Living Hope centre in Kampala. Amazing and determined, Janet endures a one-hour early morning bus ride to work and commences her journey back home at 4 p.m. “The journey doesn’t bother me. I wake up early and prepare for the day. It is such a great opportunity for me since I attended paper bead training earlier this year,� says Janet. Janet is currently learning how to make the Nattembo necklace, named after one of the other ladies and sold on the Return To Dignity tour with founder, Marilyn Skinner. Learning a new skill has strengthened her belief that there is nothing she cannot do. In addition to her regular job, Janet also manages a poultry business at home selling chickens for profit. She will try her hand at any opportunity to see that she gets the best out of life for her family.
July
Witnessing God’s Glory Resty Nansukusa used to walk from store to store selling pancake snacks that she made every day at dawn, just to provide for her family. “The work was weighing me down and the income was not enough to meet even half of our needs,” she says. Since joining Living Hope, Resty’s life has become much easier. Last month, she joined our workshop where she is learning to make our new line of necklaces. “I love the work and I’m earning enough to support my family without difficulty. In this I see the glory of God every day,” she said. Each of our necklaces represent a woman who is now able to help her children have a better future. Your support makes this possible. To purchase our products visit www.watoto.com/onlinestore.
August
A brand new look
Our Living Hope workshop and store are located in a bustling area of downtown Kampala. Here you’ll find empowered women chatting away while they work on our latest designs. The store celebrates the efforts of these women and helps lift them to a place of dignity. The simple earthy décor also helps their products stand out. “Working in such a beautiful space makes me feel like God has brought me to a better place. It encourages me to change in my own life,” said Evelyn Akullo, a worker from our jewellery department. Our Living Hope designs are now available for purchase at the Watoto Children’s Choir concerts and online at www.watoto.com/ store.
September A Valuable Partnership
It takes the ladies approximately one month to learn the basics in our tailoring unit. However, the goal is to teach them more than just the basics. Our newest trainer, Robert, has twelve years experience in the fashion industry. The addition of his skills will help the women to improve their quality of work, equip them with skills to refine their craft, and grow in confidence. “Fashion and design are interesting because you learn something new every day,” says Robert. “The Living Hope workshop is a warm and friendly environment, it makes it easier to learn.” We look forward to seeing our team widen their creative borders.
October
Celebrating Independence Mary Nakyanzi is 39 years old and has five children. She considers her children a gift from God and the source of her joy and strength. Mary joined Living Hope in 2013 and it has been one of the most memorable events in her life. “It is something that has changed me personally through the training and lessons we received every day from the committed teachers,’’ Mary says. Because of what she has learnt through Living Hope, Mary felt differently as she celebrated Uganda’s Independence day this year on 9th October. She now knows that she has something to contribute to the development of her country. Mary hopes to use her own independence to benefit the nation. ‘’I don’t only celebrate the nation’s independence but mine as well. I have been empowered to make a difference in Uganda by doing the best I can, however small it may be. I love sharing the gospel with the women in my community which I believe is the beginning of change for our nation because women are an important aspect of society.’’
November The Right Path
Every morning, Peninah would wake up dreading the day ahead. She was working in a cigarette company, which made her uncomfortable, but she needed the money. Peninah quit her job when the hazardous fumes began affecting her health. After three months of unemployment, a friend connected her to Living Hope. Since then, she has grown in her love for God, grown in prayer and her life has been enriched through discipleship. She now spends most of her days at the workshop making jewellery. She is able to pay her son’s school fees and also take care of her parents in the village.
December Against all odds
Resty did not get the education she dreamed of as a young girl. She felt sad when she saw other girls her age attending school. Still, this did not stop her from dreaming about the kind of woman she wanted to be. She worked hard, earning a living by doing every odd job that was available to her. “I never looked down on any opportunity,” she says. Through Living Hope, she has gained confidence and acquired skills from the training classes. As a result, she started a small charcoal business in her community. “I came up with this idea after I received business training at Living Hope,’’ she says. Today Resty is able to take care of her family’s needs because of her stable income.
EMBRACE . EMPOWER . ENGAGE
WATOTO CHURCH AT WORK WWW.WATOTO.COM/LIVINGHOPE