Photo: Norah Namono/CARE
Nyoka fled the conflict in South Sudan in May 2018 together with her seven children and was resettled in Uganda’s Rhino Camp Settlement, Terego District. She shares her story:
“Sometimes my children and I used to go to sleep hungry and other times we only ate greens without salt as we waited and looked forward to the next food distribution day. I didn’t know what to do to sustain my family besides the food rations.”
When Nyoka became involved in CARE’s Women Lead in Emergency project, her life and her family’s improved. She is now not only able to provide for her family, but she has also become a leader in her community creating positive change.
“I got to know CARE through a friend who encouraged me to join the South Sudanese Women Association in July 2019. After joining the group, I wondered how I was going to manage to save every week when I could not even afford to buy a packet of salt in my house. However, CARE organized training sessions…where we were advised that we should save whatever little we have which would later help us as a start-up for our businesses. I attended four trainings which kept changing me each time. The transport allowance I was given to attended the trainings is what I saved to buy a few stationary materials that I started [selling in my start-up business] with but I have now changed to selling silverfish and charcoal. I am now able to [provide] for myself and we have never slept hungry again. When the business expands, I want to save and get enough money to take my children to study abroad.”
“I am also the Vice Chairperson of our group where I encourage and lead fellow women in areas [such as] family planning and supporting couples to identify and refer cases of gender-based violence to the responsible people. I have now realized that…I have the power to change other women through my leadership roles. I am grateful to CARE because I have been empowered and I am a proud woman.”
Nyoka is a member and Vice Chairperson to the South Sudanese Refugee Women’s Association, one of the five women’s groups supported by CARE’s Women Lead in Emergency project that is supported by Global Affairs Canada and being implement in Omugo Zone of Rhino camp settlement in Uganda.