In 2010, Regina’s life drastically changed when her husband unexpectedly passed away. At such a trying time, Regina became burdened with the overwhelming task of providing for their 5 children while already living in poverty. As a housewife who was also illiterate, she felt lost. How could she earn enough money to feed her children and pay for their school fees? Soon after the loss of her husband, Regina’s friend Esther stopped by to check on her. Esther saw that her friend was struggling, and so encouraged her to join a THRIVEGulu Empowerment Group and Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA). Esther knew firsthand that THRIVEGulu had the staff and the programs to help women to be empowered and improve their life situations.
Regina decided that it was worth a try to join the Empowerment Group and VSLA in her village. At this time, the group was still very young as it was also one of the first THRIVE supported groups. When THRIVEGulu first began with the model of Empowerment Groups, many of the members had the option to benefit from a goat herding business. THRIVE would provide the goats and skills so the group member was able to start a sustainable business. For the members who began their goat business, they would often breed the goat and give the kid to a group member who did not yet have a herd of their own. Reginia was thrilled when her first goat gave birth to twins! She was able to give back more than she received and was overjoyed.
Through the years, Regina has grown her goat herding business to sustain her family. She’s been able to feed her family, pay their school fees and saved enough money to buy a plot of land. She is proud to share that her daughter has also began nursing school and never had to give up on her education. Reginia even had another lucky streak with the birth of more goat twins last year! She is currently saving money to buy a tin roof for her two-room house so that she can stay dry during the rainy season.
Reginia is also very excited with the growth of the THRIVE Literacy Program. For the first time, she is beginning to read her native language of Acholi and proud that she can now write her name. She is looking forward to the year ahead and is ready to accomplish her goals! She shares, “10 years ago, I was very vulnerable. After my husband passed, my children began going to bed hungry. Joining the Empowerment Group lifted me up so I could stand on my own. My world has changed.”
At THRIVEGulu, we’re happy to see the continued success of our early Empowerment Group members. Regina’s story is an example of how even a small amount of money — the price of one goat is $100 — can enable a woman to start a business, feed her family, pay school fees, buy land, build a house, and experience happiness!
