Patience

Patience is the youngest of nine children and a mother of two daughters. After leaving school in Senior Three, she became a young mother and was later abandoned by her partner when her first daughter was only three months old.

Determined to provide for her child, Patience travelled to Jordan in 2019 in search of work. Instead, she found herself severely exploited - working long hours without pay, denied medical care, and eventually falsely accused of stealing a car and jewellery. She was arrested and spent a year in prison before returning to Uganda in November 2021, physically and emotionally vulnerable.

Patience joined Omugaso International Sanctuary in January 2022. At first, rebuilding her life was difficult. She struggled to trust others, manage her emotions and engage with education. She often felt disconnected from the community, became involved in conflicts and showed little interest in the learning opportunities available to her.

With consistent support, accountability and encouragement, Patience gradually began to see herself and her future differently.

Today, she is an active and valued member of the Sanctuary community. She has developed meaningful friendships and now plays an important role in welcoming new participants, helping them feel safe and at home. Her warmth and compassion have also made her a trusted source of parenting advice among other mothers.

One of her most significant transformations has been her attitude toward education. Once disengaged from class, Patience now participates actively, asks questions, completes additional assignments and pursues independent learning. Her dedication has helped her progress from Level 3 to Level 4 in Fluency, Comprehension and Numeracy.

She has also embraced personal development. Patience now actively participates in counselling and, in March 2026, successfully completed an online counselling course for adults and children. When she initially failed the examinations, she chose not to give up. She tried again - and passed.

Patience has also made meaningful progress in managing conflict. She is increasingly able to recognise her emotions, understand her triggers and respond to difficult situations more calmly and constructively.

Her journey is still unfolding, but the woman who once struggled to see value in her own growth is now investing in herself, supporting others and building a more purposeful future for her daughters.

Patience's story is a reminder that healing does not erase the past - it gives someone the strength, confidence and hope to build beyond it.