Human stories · responsibly shared

Listen to what change feels like.

First-person experiences from communities working toward safety, dignity and opportunity—with consent and safeguarding at every step.

Explore the collection

Featured story

Start with one voice.

Safeguarding approved

Featured

A story of change

Empowering Women in Kampala’s Informal Settlements: Building Brighter Futures for Vulnerable Children

“At Joy for Children Uganda (JFCU), we believe that empowering women is one of the most effective ways to improve the lives of children. Through the Slum Women Development Project, we work directly with women in informal settlements to strengthen their economic independence, improve family well-being, and create safer and more supportive environments for children to thrive.”

Empowering Women in Kampala’s Informal Settlements: Building Brighter Futures for Vulnerable Children Across Kampala, more than 60 informal settlements, commonly referred to as slums or ghettos, including Bukoto, Bwaise, Ki...

Name withheld for protection

Read the full story

The collection

Continue listening.

10 published stories

Approved

A story of change

A Voice for Girls, A Future for Justice

“I want to be a lawyer because I want to become a voice to the voiceless girls in Uganda. I know some girls whose rights were violated through rape and...”

I want to be a lawyer because I want to become a voice to the voiceless girls in Uganda. I know some girls whose rights were violated through rape and didn’t ge...

Approved

A story of change

Saving Together, Securing Their Children’s Future

“My happiest moment was when Joy for children increased our kids’ academic sponsorship from primary level to secondary. This meant that my kids would a...”

We started as a women's saving group, and I should say in my life as a businesswoman I had never heard about saving, let alone its importance. The little I save...

Approved

A story of change

A Grandmother’s Sacrifice for Education

“I’m happy that I can now eat and sleep in peace without having to worry about my grand kids’ school fees because Joy for children has helped with thei...”

I lost my husband way back in 1995. Since then I had to fend for my children through making handicraft bags and mats that I sold to support the big family. We h...

Approved

A story of change

Finding Her Voice, Fighting for Justice

“l am a shy girl and I never really imagined myself as a leader but Joy for children has also helped me gain leadership skills on top of paying my scho...”

My father has a lot of kids from other women so because of that he only paid school fees for a few. My mother was the one paying for me and my brother. We strug...

Approved

A story of change

Her Strength Through Illness and Adversity

“My left arm was also mildly paralyzed after that attack. I was later diagnosed with high blood pressure, pneumonia and diabetes. I came here in 2005....”

In 2014 I got my first high blood pressure attack and I was rushed to Mulago hospital. I don’t remember most of the things because I lost my memory afterwards....

Approved

A story of change

A Mother’s Sacrifice, A Family’s Hope

“I have three children and their father stopped supporting us a while ago. It has always been up to me to make sure they get all the basic needs and re...”

I have three children and their father stopped supporting us a while ago. It has always been up to me to make sure they get all the basic needs and requirements...

Approved

A story of change

Empowered to Dream, Prepared to Lead

I want to be a doctor and a fashion designer after my school. I would love to treat people and save lives, and I love fashion. In Uganda so many mothers are dyi...

Approved

A story of change

Rebuilding Her Life Through Savings and Support

“I had to join because I needed social and financial support plus knowledge. I have learned how to save and how to take care of my family. Many people...”

I have two years that I’ll never forget in my life. In 1998 when my husband died and in 2010 when I fell sick yet I was the breadwinner in the family. If it was...

Approved

A story of change

A Mother’s Dream, A Daughter’s Future

“My happiest day was when my daughter told me she wanted to be a doctor, I was so happy even my blood pressure shot up. It meant everything to me becau...”

"We moved to Mulago in 1998. I’ll never forget a time when my two sons were in their senior six with just a few hours to sit their UACE exams and they were both...

Responsible storytelling

Every story belongs first to the person who lived it.

Protected identityOnly approved details appear
Right to withdrawConsent remains a continuing choice
Restricted recordsSource evidence stays private

Start with one voice.

Empowering Women in Kampala’s Informal Settlements: Building Brighter Futures for Vulnerable Children

Continue listening.

A Voice for Girls, A Future for Justice

Saving Together, Securing Their Children’s Future

A Grandmother’s Sacrifice for Education

Finding Her Voice, Fighting for Justice

Her Strength Through Illness and Adversity

A Mother’s Sacrifice, A Family’s Hope

Empowered to Dream, Prepared to Lead

Rebuilding Her Life Through Savings and Support

A Mother’s Dream, A Daughter’s Future

Every story belongs first to the person who lived it.

Working together, going further.