Peace is a mother of two living in Kanyanya Parish. Like many parents facing financial pressure, she was doing everything she could to provide for her children, but hard work alone was not always enough. Her children’s father works in construction and can spend periods away from home. This often leaves Peace carrying much of the day-to-day responsibility for providing for the family.
She earned an income selling fried cassava and mandazi on a small scale, making around UGX 7,000 to 10,000 profit on a working day.
But the family’s income was not enough to consistently meet their needs. When a social worker assessed the household, the family sometimes managed only one or two meals a day.
Building skills, not dependency
Peace joined the NEST programme, where she received nutrition training to help her make the most of the resources available to her family. She also participated in Street Business School, developing practical skills and confidence to think differently about earning and managing money. Peace had long been interested in selling charcoal and vegetables. With capital support, she was able to turn that idea into a small business.
Today, she has diversified beyond her original snack business and reports sales of at least UGX 15,000 a day from charcoal and vegetables. She also plans to continue making snacks, creating another source of income for her household.
The training has encouraged Peace to think beyond today’s needs. She is learning about customer care, increasing sales and developing a habit of saving — both to grow her business and to help the family cope when unexpected costs arise.
Hope for her children
The most significant change, however, may be in how Peace sees the future. She is no longer simply trying to get through each day. She is thinking about building a sustainable livelihood and creating greater stability for her children.
“I can never think of giving up again as people who were literally strangers came through for me,” she says. “I am looking forward to raising healthy and happy children.”
For Child’s i Foundation, this is why strengthening families matters.
Supporting parents to develop skills, livelihoods and resilience isn’t separate from protecting children. It can be an important part of creating the safe and stable family environment every child deserves.
