Esther is a 34-year-old mother of four from Jinja District. Like many women in rural Uganda, she had limited education and few opportunities to support her family. When her husband lost his job, the family's situation became desperate.
The Struggle Before
Before joining U-TOUCH's Women Empowerment Program, Esther spent most of her days doing casual labor - washing clothes for neighbors, working in other people's gardens, anything to earn a few shillings to feed her children.
"Some days, I would come home with nothing," Esther remembers. "My children would ask for food, and I had nothing to give them. Those were the darkest days of my life."
Finding U-TOUCH
In 2022, Esther heard about U-TOUCH's Women Empowerment Program through a neighbor who had already benefited from the training. Initially skeptical, she decided to attend an information session - and that decision changed her life.
The program offered comprehensive training in tailoring, financial literacy, and business management. Esther enrolled in the tailoring course, attending classes three times a week while juggling her responsibilities at home.
Learning New Skills
The training was challenging but rewarding. Esther learned not just how to sew, but how to take measurements, select fabrics, and create designs that customers would love. The financial literacy component taught her how to manage money, save, and plan for the future.
"The instructors were so patient," Esther says. "They believed in us even when we didn't believe in ourselves. They taught us that we are capable of so much more than we ever imagined."
Building Her Business
After completing the six-month training program, Esther received a starter kit including a sewing machine, fabrics, and basic supplies. With guidance from U-TOUCH mentors, she set up a small tailoring business at her home.
Word spread quickly about her quality work, and soon she had more orders than she could handle. Today, Esther employs two other women and has expanded her business to include school uniforms for local schools.
Impact on Her Family
The transformation in Esther's life has rippled out to her entire family. All four of her children are now in school, with the oldest preparing for secondary education. Her husband, inspired by her success, has started a small business of his own.
"My family looks at me differently now," Esther reflects. "My children see that their mother is a businesswoman. They are proud of me, and that gives me strength to keep going."
Giving Back
True to the spirit of U-TOUCH, Esther now mentors other women in her community. She hosts training sessions at her workshop, teaching basic sewing skills to women who want to learn. She has become a champion for women's empowerment in her village.
"I know what it feels like to have nothing," she says. "If I can help other women avoid that suffering, then I must. We lift as we rise."
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