Sharon and Family
Sharon and her family were enrolled in our Family to Family program in 2016.
Sharon was 13 yrs old in Primary 7 at a local school. Her parents, both HIV positive, were working hard to provide for their family with their farming business. Upon enrollment in the program, the entire family began to benefit – Sharon’s mother had high blood pressure and was able to get immediate treatment at our health center. During home visits, staff shared specific ideas with the family on how to improve the basic sanitation and hygiene.
Both parents attend parent forums, and are now members of their local farming cooperative. Their monthly income has increased, and future plans include opening a small retail shop.
For her part, Sharon completed primary school and GUW enrolled her in an excellent secondary school where she thrived academically and socially. Her education was interrupted several times due to the pandemic, but she continued to work hard with the private at-home tutors and computer courses that GUW provided for her.
Sharon passed her secondary school national exams 2021 and obtained her Uganda Certificate of Education. With two years remaining in their enrollment in the Family to Family program, Sharon and her family decided that her next step would be nursing school. “I want to study nursing so that I can treat the people in my community,” Sharon shared.
Sharon completed her nursing program and is registered with the Uganda Nurses Association. She’s been working part-time at a local hospital and at a private clinic in a nearby community! Sharon is now a confident 21-yr-old with a bright future. In December, 2024 she shared her thoughts with the young students at the Children’s Forum – “You have to set goals and be ready to achieve them. You have to work hard; nothing comes on a silver plate. You have to face challenges and overcome them. To the young girls…know what you want, know who you are, know what you need. Don’t give up.”
