Will you help bring transformation to families and whole communities?
When our Frontline team first met Mariam, in the Banda slum community (Kampala, Uganda), her daughter was malnourished and needed urgent help. We provided assistance by giving Mariam nutritious food packages. She also joined one of our Life Groups – where she learn all about nutrition – and how she could feed her family healthy meals, even on a tight budget. Mariam says,
“It’s not just about the services or benefits Every Life gave us – like the nutritional support they got me when I didn’t have food to feed by ailing child, or the teachings I received from the Champion’s program – but the emotional support… I never had anybody that cared whether I was struggling – not even my very own husband who spent most of his time on drugs. They not only cared; they were willing to help me figure out what to do about it.”
When she heard about our Community Champion programme, Mariam was eager to be part of it so she could give something back to her community. “As someone who’s been served by Every Life, I feel like my role as a Community Champion is to show people that their lives really can change for the better. It’s not just theory.”
As a Community Champion, Mariam has built a strong reputation for helping others. As well as supporting families with nutrition advice and coordinating an anti-substance abuse group, she also took part in Every Life’s Child Protection Campaign – encouraging children and helping parents see the value and potential in their children and how to care for them best. Mariam sees herself as an advocate – always willing to speak out against stereotyping or mistreating women or children.
“I try to be strong friend and mother. I don’t stay silent, I stand up, and I encourage others to stand up for themselves. It’s so important to me that people feel safe and able to speak up.”