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 income-generating 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 has 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 Living Hope counselor.’’ We are excited to see these women flourish.
EMBRACE . EMPOWER . ENGAGE
WATOTO CHURCH AT WORK WWW.WATOTO.COM/LIVINGHOPE