In a rural village in Northern Uganda, a single mother named Jane rises before dawn. Her days are long and filled with gardening, childcare, and scraping together enough to send her daughters to school. But behind her determined routines was a heart burdened with grief, anger, and rejection. That is, until God began a quiet, powerful work in her life.
A Journey Marked by Loss and Loneliness:
Jane, in her mid-20s, lives alone with her two young daughters in a grass-thatched hut. Forced out by her in-laws and later by her own relatives, Jane faced abandonment at every turn. Even the community around her viewed her with suspicion. As a woman living alone, she was labeled a bad omen. With no extended family to support her, she took on every role—mother, father, caregiver, and provider—just to survive.
Her daily routine stretched from 5:30am to 10pm. Amid these struggles, she began attending local CHE group trainings, joining a savings group, learning small business skills, and listening to lessons on health, wholeness, and faith. But something deeper lingered beneath the surface.
Breaking Through Bitterness:
Jane rarely spoke in group sessions. When she did, her words were sharp and laced with anger, especially when God was mentioned. The trauma she carried had hardened her heart. But everything began to shift during a trauma healing training led by the MAI partner team. At the end of the session, Jane courageously requested a one-on-one conversation. Through tears, she shared her story.
She was invited to consider the power of forgiveness not just for others, but for her own healing. She prayed. She wept. And she took a bold step. In the weeks that followed, Jane traveled back to her home area and met with relatives who had rejected her. She expressed her pain, asked for forgiveness, and was met with grace. In her words: “I felt like a load had been lifted off me.”
A Leader Emerges:
Today, Jane’s life looks different. She now leads the business committee in her group, helping others learn how to make and sell liquid soap. She has one of the cleanest model homes in her area and recently built an improved cookstove after seeing a photo from South Sudan. Even though some neighbors mocked her for trying new things, Jane pressed on, always seeking ways to make life better for her children.
Her smile is no longer rare. Her home is filled with hope. Family members who once turned away from her now visit her during school holidays. She remains cautious, praying for protection as she raises two young daughters alone, but she is no longer defined by fear or bitterness.
At MAI, we believe transformation begins from within.
Jane’s journey is a testament to the healing power of forgiveness, the strength of local women, and the slow, beautiful work of God in forgotten corners of the world. Her story isn’t finished but hope has taken root.
