The widows of Uganda are in crisis. Husbands are dying of AIDS and leaving behind multiple wives and children. In this culture of polygamy women stand by in fear as their co-wives suffer and die of AIDS-knowing they will be next-praying they won’t be. They are not only left with their own children to raise but the children of their co-wives. Children are starving at home and take to the streets hoping they will at least find something to eat. Small children are left to their own devices as their mothers struggle to survive. Some resort to prostitution. Some sell their children for sex for as little as a bar of soap. Some commit suicide. Others have seen a ray of hope in an organization called Smile Africa Ministries.

Pastor Ruth is the founder of Smile Africa and will do whatever it takes to help these women and children. She opened her doors to teach women how to sew on treadle sewing machines. When they graduate they are allowed to take the sewing machine with them to start their own business. Or they can remain at the Smile Africa shop and take part in making uniforms and special orders for Americans and fellow Ugandans. With the pay they receive they can buy food, pay their rent and live a life of dignity.

Not everyone learns to sew. Some love to cook and are given start up fees as well as utensils and serving items so they can sell lunches and dinners to those working in town or along the roadside. Others sit inside their dimly lit homes or outside making necklaces and bracelets from strips of paper.

While in Uganda we went door-to-door with Pastor Ruth, bringing tea and gifts and talking with the widows. We heard story after story of the husband’s relatives throwing them to the street as soon as the husband died. As we heard their stories of desperation and tried to comfort them as they broke down sobbing-many wishing they would die too we knew we had to partner with Pastor Ruth and reach as many widows and children as possible.

Thirty-seven-year-old Rukia’s husband died of AIDS. But not before infecting her. Sick and alone with three sons to raise Rukia’s devastation was compounded when her husband’s family demanded that she leave her home and take her children with her.

Rukia had no where to go. She had no skills to earn a living. A friend took pity on her and allowed Rukia and her boys to live with her for a short time. Four extra people in a one-room hut gets crowded quickly so again Rukia was asked to leave.

With no friends, family or support Rukia’s spirits sank lower. She decided: I will send my boys back to their father’s family. Surely they will take care of them. It will be easier for me to fend for myself.

The boys returned to their father’s family; were welcomed and told to sit and wait while they cooked a meal. A neighbor happened by and overheard the family discussing how much rat poison they should add to the food in order to kill the children. Immediately she took the boys back to Rukia and told her what their father’s family intended to do.

Rukia was now lower than low and wondered: maybe it would have been for the best. Then I could also kill myself and this misery would be over. It was in this downhearted state Rukia found herself on the door step of Smile Africa. Pastor Ruth took her in and gave her family a room in the back of Smile Africa. She was given food and trained to sew on a treadle sewing machine at Smile Africa. Today she makes beautiful clothing and smiles all the time. She has saved enough money to open her own shop! She finds joy in realizing God has not forgotten her.

When we set a widow up in business or pay school fees for her children we are investing in the future. These women and children who are without hope now realize that God sees them and know they have a chance not only to survive but they can actually have dreams of becoming doctors, nurses, teachers, business owners and more.

We met old widows who are unable to work. One widow, Cadija was crawling around the bush searching for greens and firewood when we met her. They are guessing she is around 120 years old. No longer able to walk she is at the mercy of those living around her. Her mud hut was crumbling and we knew it was a matter of time before it would collapse. Team members built a new mud hut within three days! Cadija was so grateful that when Colleen from Seattle asked her if she wanted to accept Jesus she replied: “Everyone has forgotten me. Yet you people keep coming back-bringing me gifts and food and now you have built a new home for me. I know it is because of Jesus. I want to know Him too.”

This is a small start and a few success stories. Now that Hope4Kids is partnering with Smile Africa we hope to create new possibilities and reach more of those in dire need.
We along with Pastor Ruth are dreaming of an optimistic future.

Smile Africa owns land and among their building plans is a vision of a women’s center. This will be a two story building with a conference center and library on the first floor with living quarters on the second. This will be the great resource and learning center for the widows and their children