With a new sewing machine, Beatrice can now earn enough money to care for her children.

KOSOVO, Uganda – Sewing is what Beatrice does best. Yet no amount of skill or expertise could prepare her for the unraveling that would take place in her life.

Her husband abandoned her, leaving Beatrice to raise their nine children alone in the Kosovo slums of Uganda. Unable to find enough work to support her family, Beatrice could no longer afford rent, and a few months ago was evicted from her home.

With no money or options, she and her children were forced to take shelter in the only place available—a partially constructed chicken house. But their good Samaritan landlord could only offer temporary assistance and broke the news that they would have to leave.

Beatrice knew that her skills as a trained seamstress would allow her to provide for her children, but she had no machine of her own to work on and could barely afford to rent time on a shared machine.

Beatrice’s children are attending a school supported in part by OBI, where they receive a hot meal every day for lunch.

"She simply had no way to work herself out of her situation," said David Darg, OBI’s vice president of international operations.

So Operation Blessing and partners immediately went to work to help this struggling, single mom.

OBI offered Beatrice a sewing machine of her own, while our partners on the ground are providing her and her children with a temporary home where they can be safe and sheltered until Beatrice can save enough of her earnings to afford rent on a small home.

Her children are also attending a school supported in part by OBI, where they receive a hot meal every day for lunch.

"Beatrice was overjoyed and fell to her knees in a traditional way of saying thanks. It was really moving," David said. "Her children are benefitting from our support at the school and her life is being transformed in such a simple way thanks to OBI and our partners."

HOW YOU CAN HELP

This microenterprise venture is one of many Operation Blessing projects touching lives around the world. You can be a part of improving the quality of life for impoverished communities by supporting these and other life-changing programs.

 

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