I am Nakato Grace, a 42-year-old resident of Bugembe Town Council in Jinja district, Uganda. At the age of 18, I got pregnant while studying in senior two. My parents refused to take my responsibility and urged me to go to the man who had impregnated me. I suffered abuse from him until I decided to leave his house. Due to my financial situation, I could not start any business and support myself at the time.
In January 2007, the chairperson of women affairs in my community was mobilising villagers for a meeting organised by BRAC Uganda. She mentioned that BRAC Uganda empowers women by giving them loans that can be refunded within a period of 9 months. I was intrigued to be a part of such an initiative. I joined BRAC Microfinance and got a loan of Ugandan Shilling 300,000 (USD 83). I started looking for opportunities on how I can best make the investment, and soon after I got the opportunity to join as a Community Health Promoter (CHP) for BRAC Uganda Health programme in August 2007.
Through the CHPs training, I acquired knowledge that has greatly improved my life. I make profit from providing health products such as SaTo pans, reading glasses, and solar light bulbs in vulnerable communities. Working as a CHP allows me to treat my family and community members. I have made friends and met different people. It gave me recognition from the community and as a single mother. Most importantly, I am now able to support my children’s education.
