My names are Nakalema Harriet a widow with five children (three boys and two girls). My dream is to see all my children acquire an average education so that they can fit in the current society without so many challenges.

My first born is 15 years studying in a public school in senior three. It has been a nightmare getting Joshua to this level because his missed an academic year due to lack of school fees and would have completed his senior four my now. We have only come this far due to his talent in football. The headmaster offered him a half bursary for the school fees due to his high performance for the school football team. I only pray his performance doesn’t decline to allow him complete senior four.

My second born are identical twins, 12 years of age and have currently completed their primary leaving examinations. I thank my brother and mother for supporting me financially and morally with them; otherwise they wouldn’t have made it this far for their school fees and upkeep.

My third and last set of children are twins also, they are boys 9 years of age and attending primary three. I do not know whether they will make it in life, because since birth they were diagnosed with HIV/AIDS and have been admitted and even referred numerous times to a number of hospitals. Am also on ARVs and have been advised not strain or stress myself.

I thank my late husband who left us a house and two acres of land. The women in the community taught me how to grow vegetables. This has been my major source of income throughout the year. The vegetables I grow include: sukuma wiki, eggplants, greens and lettuce.

This week I am optimistic that I will clear Joshua’s meal fees at school plus the boda boda debt for transporting the twin boys to hospital last month. The twin girls have been very helpful in harvesting sukuma wiki this month, which transported and sold in town. The price of vegetables is determined by the supply and the weather, since vegetables grow well in mild temperatures.

Over 10 women in our village grow vegetables of different kinds and in different seasons. My method of growing them includes irrigation during the dry season which is tiresome but provides me a better price bargaining power due to scarcity.

The twins have started weaving mats day and night, since they are in their vacation awaiting their results. We hope to sell the mats next year to raise part of the money for their school fees for joining senior one. Joshua on the other hand after school fetches water for the family and also sells it to the villagers to earn some money. He saves with the village bank preparing for next academic year.

I have saved with the village bank and hope that at the end of this year, I will be able to clear my children’s school fees arrears and provide them with clothes and special meals this festive season. I want for the first time to replicate what my husband did for us when he was still alive.

I remembered mainly the great times we had together. Later, I remembered the disagreements but will still a smile. Why? Because it was those things that framed our wonderful relationship and that motivates me. Taking my time doing my usual everyday routine, has kept me going. I cannot imagine providing for five children with so much difficulty which has been a very challenging life as a single parent.

The households in our village have been supportive by providing our family with moral support and purchasing our harvest in cash since we grow mainly vegetables all year round.

The priest has promised the girls training in skills development during the festive season; we cannot wait to attend it since it will be knowledge as an alternative source of income to improve our livelihood.

After being counseled by the health worker on my positive HIV/AIDS status, she introduced me Henry who introduced me to the widows club. My stress levels disappeared when I shared my experience with the women and also learned that I was not alone.

Since then my life took a sharp turn and I have introduced three other widows to the club. I pray to God every day that he only takes me away after my children are able to fend for themselves.