My name is Judi and I have been in Uganda for six years now. I have eight children, and by the grace of God, they are all alive today.

We started our journey to Uganda because the war intensified. The soldiers were killing people and raping women. I saw someone who was killed near our home - that’s when we decided to leave. It was a six-week journey to get to this camp. When I arrived here, I wasn’t feeling well. There wasn’t enough food for everyone, and it was rainy season and our shelter wasn’t sufficient. Even though we are safe, life was continually hard. I was very stressed.

I learned about Tutapona from my children, who all took part in the Heroes Journey program. Before the program starts for the children, the Tutapona staff called all the parents to a meeting so we would know what our children are being taught. That is how I learned about the one-on-one sessions, and I asked if I could begin coming to talk to someone.

From the first session, I felt relief because I had been having suicidal thoughts. They came here and talked a lot with me, and I was encouraged to look at my children and think how their lives would be if I was gone. I realized my life had value to so many people. When we could discuss it, it helped reduce the stress and those terrible feelings.

 Now, I am able to sit with my children and laugh with them, spending time with them causes me to smile. They are constantly encouraging me. I feel the future will be bright because those thoughts that were pulling me down have reduced.

Because of the generosity of people like you, mothers like Judi have learned how to overcome, and know that there is a future full of hope for themselves and their children. BUT there are thousands of people with stories that are yet to end with hope. Help Tutapona provide that hope and healing by donating today.

*Name has been changed to protect the individual and family.