A decade ago Elizabeth was widowed. ‘After my husband died people around looked at me and, because I had no children, expected me to leave this land for other families to inherit. Life became so hopeless.’
For a 50 year-old childless widow, life in this community in Uganda was difficult. But that is not all: Elizabeth has leprosy, a disease which makes life even harder.
In 2009 Elizabeth began attending the Tearfund sponsored church mobilisation training. ‘One of the things that changed my attitude was the Bible study about Jesus feeding 5,000,’ she explains. ‘Jesus found the resources – the five loaves and two fish – from around him. So I asked, “What are the resources around me and that can help me change my situation?”’
Elizabeth began cultivating more land, planting seven types of crops instead of her normal three. However, because Elizabeth lives with Leprosy she finds harvesting difficult. ‘My fingers are very fragile,’ she explains.
‘The church has become my family,’ she says, referencing the church volunteers who come and help her harvest her crops. ‘I live by faith in God and whether I have children or don’t, God is my protection and I have put my faith in the Lord.’
Why not join us, and help share Elizabeth’s story?
Watch their stories