Rose’s Story

“I am the second to last of six children. I was born in the Congo but then my family moved to Masese, which is a slum in Jinja, Uganda. Sometime after this, my father fled back to Congo and left my mother, siblings and me to suffer without any help from him. I don’t remember much of my father because he left us when I was young.  

Life was very hard for us in Masese. We did not speak the languages of the area so it was very hard to find work. When others learned what tribe we were, they would mistreat us badly. I stayed with my sister but I could not study because I had to take care of her children so she could look for food for us. My mother died in 2011 and that was so sad for us all. 

Then one day, a man came from Peace for Paul and said he could help so I could go to school. I was so happy and my sister was so happy too. Now I can study and play and live a very good life. I am so grateful for Aunt Heidi rescuing me and helping me to have all the good things that I do now.”

Now, as a young woman Rose is enrolled in a vocational school and is studying hair care and beauty. Her dream is to open her own salon once she graduates. During school holidays, she travels to Northern Uganda to spend time with her sister and nieces.