Worried, Alice returned to her village to look for work and provide for her family’s needs. Although she was afraid of leaving the children with her husband, Alice succeeded and made money after a series of community jobs and returned home to Oget village with a possibility to invest.
Unfortunately, her four-year-old son fell ill and had to have an operation at Kitgum Hospital, eight kilometers away from home. Looking after the child at the hospital, Alice learned about AVSI. From then on, things started to get better.
With the money Alice had earned, she joined a savings group and received financial skills training from AVSI. Not only was she able to save securely, but Alice also met friends who listened and gave advice.
Convinced that Robinson was ready to accept support, the couple received counseling from a social worker every week. The social worker Valentino traveled by bike to ensure the couple had psychosocial sessions and put an end to the domestic violence.
Alice now smiles at life again. She gets up by 6 am every morning with Robinson, and together they take care of the harvest. Alice’s small income has grown over time. The sesame and cotton fields are bearing fruit and allow the six children to go to school. The couple also invested part of the income in cows and goats.
Alice has always been a determined woman. Today, more than ever, she feels invincible with a supportive and changed husband. She wants to send their children to private school, increase their animal stock, and continue to participate in her community-savings group – the group of friends who changed her life for the better.