My name is Sharon, and I’m 20 years old. At just 16, I became a young mother and entered marriage with my then 17-year old partner. We were both too young to understand what it truly meant to build a life together. Unfortunately, our decision led to our families disowning us, forcing us to navigate life on our own without support.

What followed was a difficult period filled with emotional and physical abuse. My husband, overwhelmed by life’s pressures, often took his frustrations out on me. With no safe space to turn to, I endured the pain in silence, while he struggled with casual labour to cover our rent and basic needs.

Everything began to change when I joined a two-month program offered by Haven for Humanity Uganda (HHU). Through business and financial literacy training, psychosocial support, and consistent counselling and mentorship, I found the courage and skills to start over. I took a group loan of 100,000 shillings and launched a mobile fruit business. Within two months, I repaid it in full and borrowed 250,000 shillings to begin selling African fabrics.

With creativity and dedication, I turned kitenge fabric into beautiful clothes for women, men, and children. I sold some from home and others at local markets often selling out in a single day. Our family life slowly transformed. We began eating two meals a day, and with continued counselling, my husband started to change too becoming more caring and even contributing to our savings group.

HHU saw potential in me and recommended me for the Wazesha Impact Business Competition. With their guidance, I won first place regionally and came second nationally in Kampala. I used the prize money to buy a sewing machine and set up a small business at home, where I now sew and sell fabric while caring for my children.

Words can’t express the joy and dignity I feel today. I am deeply grateful to HHU for believing in me. Please continue to uplift more women like me we are capable of rising when given the right support.