A Load Off My Shoulders

Meet Malisa and her mum, Evas

7-year-old Malisa is the second youngest of five children. Her father, Fred, died of HIV/AIDS in 2019 so she now lives with her mum, Evas, and her siblings on 2 acres of clan land. They have a two-roomed ramshackle mudbrick house which serves as a sleeping area, and a grass-thatched mud hut, which they use as a kitchen.
Evas is a subsistence farmer, growing cassava, maize, potatoes and green vegetables for the family to eat. She also digs land for other people – hard work which pays about 10,000 shillings (£2) per day. Evas is keen to invest in her future; despite the family’s poverty, she saves what she can and has bought two piglets for 50,000 shilling each (about £11) and which she hopes to sell for 130,000 shillings (about £29) when they are fully grown. Malisa and her siblings go to school when they can afford the essentials, such as stationery, shoes and uniform.

Evas writes:

Hello,

I had lost hope of my child to study because I did not see any future as I did not have the potential. You came in at a right time where I had failed completely. Your coming in has reduced a very heavy load off my shoulder. I wish you were in Uganda, I would dance for you our traditional dance.

I have been into farming but in a very small scale. I have now joined a farming group called Kyakalisa where we are learning new farming techniques. I have already planted maize, beans and potatoes in my small plots of land. I’m hoping for best yields. Thank you.

Malisa’s message to her sponsors:

Greetings from Kyakalisa village in Masindi. How are you my dear sponsors? Thank you for loving me. You have been so good to me and to my family. I’m in P.2 class. My teacher is called Madame Christine. I have a best friend at school, her name is Pretty. We all love playing dodge ball. All my family says thank you.

At home we have 2 piglets and we have 5 local chickens. What animals do you look after in your country?

For this season, I have not been going to school because of corona. But over the radio, I have been taught. This is a government program.

Thank you.