Diocese of Winchester

Members from Muhabura in October 2008 at the Centenary Celebrations for Mothers' Union in Uganda

The Mothers’ Union in the Diocese of Muhabura take as their motto an adaptation of Philippians 4:13:
“Have the strength to face all conditions by the power that Christ gives.”

THE REGIONAL SITUATION

Poverty is acute, and cultivation only on a small scale for people’s own homes as land is scarce. There are no cash crops and for cultural reasons men do not share in the agricultural work. There is a lot of illness, especially related to HIV/AIDS, with women doing all the caring for the sick as well as often being the major earners. There are high levels of illiteracy and medical provision is sparce and linked by poor transport infrastructure, which makes coping with the difficulties of people’s lives, more time consuming. The pressure of these conflicting responsibilities probably hinders development in the region.

In an area where the majority of Mothers’ Union members are very poor, they give generously both financially and in the time they commit to support Mothers’ Union work in their communities and churches. The region has a recent history of struggling with tribal divisions which have had a great impact on the running of churches, but Mothers’ Union members have been in the position to be part of the process of reconciliation because of the skills they have given themselves.

WORKING TOGETHER

When Diocesan leaders visit local groups they lead and share in Bible Study, sex education, training in child welfare and development, and Christian family values. They also hold seminars for women in different centres around the Diocese covering HIV/AIDS, sanitation, income generating activities, credit and saving schemes to maximise the benefits of income generation, conflict resolution and transformation.

Mothers' Union members working together to harvest sorghum for one of their group

Working together has become a common way of women in Muhabura dealing with the need to fulfill so many roles in family and community life. Members frequently help each other as a group at harvest time, and with planting and weeding earlier in the season. This enables them to finish the work in the shortest possible time.

INCOME GENERATION

Income generating activities started as a result of Mothers’ Union seminars and workshops have helped reduce the poverty people experience. Below are two specific examples of how such projects have improved life for individual families and in some cases have had a wider impact on community life.

Jane, a widow, is rearing zero-grazed cows (fodder is cut and given to the animals, rather than them roaming freely). From these she is able to get 15 litres of milk per day of which 12 litres are sold and 3 litres used for home consumption. This has enabled her to meet school fees and other basic needs.

Mothers' Union members entertaining visitors with traditional dance and song after a training session

Annah makes sweaters; she started with one machine, but now has four in her shop. As her sales have increased she has been able to move the business from her home in the village to a room hired in town. the success of this operation has meant that she is able to pay school fees. She has also shared her skills, apprenticing some young girls so they can use the machines; as a result of this three have been able to buy their own machines.

Mothers’ Union now have a Women’s Project House where they will be able to provide accommodation and training, to extend and supplement their work across the Diocese.