Florence’s Story

“I was born in Masese, the slums outside of Jinja. I lived with both of my parents and had five siblings. There were three girls and three boys. In 1995, my oldest sibling passed away as a child, but we don’t know why. My father got sick in 2008 with liver cancer. He was in treatment for alcoholism, and while he was there, he passed away. The last-born child died immediately after my father passed, and not long after that the second to last passed away. I was told that a witch doctor poisoned them all because he did not like my family.

My mother was tired of seeing her family die before her and she felt like she didn’t have any hope and became suicidal. My siblings and I were living on the streets and spent many nights there. Food and shelter were difficult to find and hard to afford, and when we did have shelter it was not in good shape. I would pick charcoal or work in people’s homes as a house girl to get some money for food.  

My hope was renewed when my brother Mark met Heidi and joined the Peace for Paul Foundation family. After this, myself and two other siblings came to Peace for Paul.

My life has been so sad especially after losing my father and siblings. Life on the streets was dangerous and a struggle every day. It makes me cry when I talk about it, but now my life is so good and I have everything I need, and I love my school and friends so much”.

In 2018. Florence completed Senior 2 and moved back in with her mother to pursue a paper bead making business with her. They continue to work together to build this business and Florence remains a part of the PFP family and of her siblings lives.