Margret gained skills of making chapatti
Margret was born in Siabona village, Namayingo District in Uganda. Like many other children in her village, Margret managed to finish a standard level of primary school, but was not privileged to join secondary school because her father had passed away and her mother could not support the family on her own, it was difficult to get any kind of financial support to further her education. Life at home was difficult. There was not enough food on the table every day. Her mother had other children to pay tuition for, so there was nothing left for Margret. She decided to go the way that many other youths in her village had gone before.
“I decided to become a house girl,” says Margret. But since her economic status was not improving, she decided to quit. She decided to work as a food vendor and was employed for a payment that enabled her to rent a room. “For the first time, I was able to buy a mattress and a bed,” she shares. Later I met a boyfriend, and we had a child together. But the man refused to continue supporting me and we parted ways.”
Margret had no other options except to care for her child on her own. While she was working as a cashier and waitress at a local food kiosk, she met another boyfriend and became pregnant with her second child. She was not sure if the man would support her during pregnancy and childbirth. With great anxiety she met someone who showed her hope at the other end of tunnel. She says, “It was during this time I met Friends of South Ministries- Uganda workers who used to come to the kiosk for lunch.
They inquired about my Pregnancy and who is supporting me. They learned that I was a single mother with a child and a baby on the way, even with my meager income. They were then recruiting new mothers, and they decided to register me.”
Margret’s life was now better and on track. She would go to the centre to learn the Word of God and get other training in entrepreneurship. As she continued in her relationship with God, she understood that she cannot continue her sexual relationship with her boyfriend unless they were married.
She explains, “My boyfriend was not ready to commit himself to a lasting relationship, and he wanted casual sex without a lasting commitment. I told him that I had committed my life to Christ, and since he is not serious, we could not continue in our relationship. More importantly, my child was growing and I had only one room. I thought I might be teaching my child bad relationship habits.”
The man reluctantly walked out of her life and Margret regained her freedom to be fully engaged in Friends of South Ministries- Uganda. She had found a new hope and new friends with Friends of South Ministries –Uganda staff. Margret says, “I have enjoyed salvation since then and I have seen there is nothing good like salvation. I was formerly a Roman Catholic, and I had the religion of my father but I could not see how sin had blinded me.”
Margret is thankful for the Friends of South Ministries-Uganda because it has given her and her children a new hope. She smiles as she says, “The ministry has helped me a lot. The most important thing I can remember is the courage I got to discontinue an impure relationship. I can see that I can live my own life without depending on a man in an ill relationship. I am now in a new believers’ class at church, and I want to be a choir member. With the help I get from the church, my small business is growing. Although what I earn is not so big, it gives me satisfaction to know that it gives me my daily bread.”
Margret is hopeful that her children will grow and get a good education. She concludes, “If it had not been for the ministry, life would have been very difficult. I used to worry a lot. But as I continue to learn about God, I get more strength. I am no longer afraid to live without a boyfriend. With Friends of South Ministries –Uganda’s support, I can take care of my life.”
