Bamuzibire Gracious, a devoted father of seven living in Bulenga-Kikaya, Wakiso District, found himself at a crossroads in his family life. With mounting conflicts at home and growing tensions with his wife, the situation reached a breaking point when they were not able to agree on a decision regarding one of their daughters.

He and his wife failed to see eye to eye which forced the local council women leader who was also the parenting trainer to intervene. She introduced him to the transformative parenting sessions that were about to take place and that was when Gracious enrolled.

Before attending the sessions, as a father, he struggled with effective parenting techniques, and as a husband, he and his wife lacked open communication, which only fueled tensions. “Before the training, my wife and I were raising our children independently rather than together,” shared Gracious.

Through the parenting sessions, the bond between Gracious and his wife grew stronger. They shifted from a fractured partnership to a united front in their parenting journey, collaboratively navigating the challenges of raising their children.

One particular session focused on mental wellbeing resonated deeply with him. Gracious discovered that his actions had a profound impact on his family’s mental health and wellbeing. This prompted him to become more mindful of his behaviour as it affected his children.

The financial literacy training was also extremely useful to him when it came to his household planning. He learned essential skills for planning and budgeting, ensuring he could meet his children’s basic needs, including healthcare. 

Previously, decision-making was a one-sided affair, but after the training, Gracious began involving his children in planning discussions, significantly improving their relationships and giving them a voice in family matters.

Through the parenting sessions, the bond between Gracious and his wife grew stronger. They shifted from a fractured partnership to a united front in their parenting journey, collaboratively navigating the challenges of raising their children. 

“The sessions have played a crucial role in uniting my family and fostering peace and understanding in our home and for that I am grateful to the organisers,” he expressed. “I’ve become an advocate for children in my community, sharing what I’ve learned with teachers within the community, especially at the schools where I serve as Parent Teacher Association chairman. One of the key messages I share is the importance of non-violent discipline; when emotions run high, it’s crucial not to respond in anger, as it can lead to lasting harm.”

Gracious’s journey is a testament to the power of effective parenting and community support. The parenting sessions have not only improved his relationships with his wife and children but have also empowered him to advocate for positive change in his community. 

Gracious’ story is one of the many successes as a result of the implementation of the Family Care for Children in Uganda Project, a government led initiative funded by Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and implemented in collaboration with Child’s i Foundation, Home Free and Association of the Religious in Uganda (ARU). 

The project is grounded in the belief that strengthening families is the most effective way to protect children and improve their wellbeing. By empowering parents with practical skills ranging from parenting techniques to financial education, the initiative has been pivotal in building stronger, more resilient families in Mbale City, Wakiso and Lwengo districts.