Big Give 2026
Asara Donald Update
happy and healthy mothers community savings and credit groups
When the programme team first met 18 year old Joyce, she was living with her grandmother and caring for her newborn. She pregnant while in senior school and was abandoned by the father. She felt overwhelmed by her situation and uncertain about her future.
Joyce shared with the team how the health education, mama kits and agricultural support gave her hope for the first time since arriving in Uganda from South Sudan. She also received psychosocial support sessions delivered by CAF interns, which helped her to process the emotional pain and disappointment she had carried since having to leave school and suspend her education.
Today, Joyce serves as the Chairperson of the Iyte CSCG, demonstrating remarkable leadership among fellow mothers and demonstrating how the programme supports holistic wellbeing, and builds the confidence and leadership skills of the women. She also participates in the group’s communal vegetable garden and has recently started her own backyard garden where she is growing tomatoes and aubergines. These will provide nutritious food for her and her baby.
"I thought my future had ended when I became pregnant. The encouragement I received from the project has helped me believe that I can still achieve my dreams. My baby brings me joy and motivation to keep going."
After talking with the team and with encouragement from older ladies in the CSCG group Joyce has now developed a plan to return to school once her one year old baby is old enough and she feels ready. We will continue to follow her story.
group receiving mosquito nets
31 one year old Huda was pregnant when she joined the Happy and Healthy Mothers programme. As she prepared for birth, she expressed gratitude that the project had provided the essential supplies and knowledge she needed for a safer delivery.
Throughout her pregnancy, Huda consistently attended antenatal care appointments and health sessions run by Asaba the Community Midwife and Village Health Teams (VHTs). During these routine visits, health workers identified complications that required immediate referral hospital for a caesarean section. Although the referral and timely medical intervention likely prevented further complications for Huda, her baby sadly passed away two days after delivery.
The loss was devastating. For nearly a month after returning home, Huda was physically weak and emotionally overwhelmed. During this difficult period, the support provided through the project extended far beyond health services. Members of her Community Savings and Credit Group (CSCG) regularly visited her home offering emotional encouragement, practical support, and reminding her that she remained an important part of the group. Asaba and VHTs also continued to provide counselling and follow-up visits that helped her cope with grief and gradually regain confidence. After one month, Huda felt strong enough to return to her group activities.
Huda is now serving as Secretary of the United Women CSCG, where she actively participates in meetings and supports other mothers. Through the group's savings and financial literacy training activities, she has expanded her small business selling groundnuts, beans, cooking oil, and mandazi at Point J Market. The income from her business now enables her to provide for her family and keep her two surviving children—one in Primary Two and the other in nursery school—in education.
Reflecting on her journey, Huda says that while the pain of losing her baby remains, the support she received from fellow group members and the health workers helped her find the strength to move forward.
To donate to the Happy and Healthy Mothers CSCGs, click here.
