Nineteen year old Gimbo Elizabeth was only 11 years when her father died. Her father died from HIV/AIDS. Gimbo has three sisters and two brothers. They live with their mother in Bukomolo village, kibuku district in eastern Uganda. The mother is also sick suffering from HIV/AIDS.
The day GWI team met Gimbo, she was digging in one of GWI agriculture project farm near her home in Bukomolo. At first, the team thought Gimbo to be a young village girl wanting to make quick money. But as she continued working, it was observed that this young lady was ever miserable and many times tears rolled down from her eyes.
“I have worked in this farm since last year. My mother is sick and she can no-longer manage to provide food or clothing for us. ” Gimbo said.
For Gimbo, her mother’s HIV/AIDS condition is a nightmare. “My friends shunned me because they believe I have HIV/AIDS like my mother. Also our relatives grabbed our land that our father left for us because they regard us hopeless and infected” Gimbo narrates.
Luckily for Gimbo, when GWI launched the Youth Empowerment Programme this year in Bukomolo, the team recommended that she joins. She is among the 30 youths who got registered into the program. The programme brings together young people to actively participate in improving the social, economic and environmental conditions around them. Activities’ include capacity building in agriculture, entrepreneurship knowledge and sports.
Gimbo’s participation is out-standing. She is so active in entrepreneurship skills and recently she took the lead to manage the tomato demonstration garden because her interest was to start a tomato business. During harvest, GWI team gave Gimbo tomatoes worth 25,000 ($7) as a start-up-capital. She set up a stall at her home compound.
“I am grateful to GWI team and fellow youths who stand by to encourage and to shape me into useful citizen in spite of my mother’s condition. My business is growing every day because in addition to tomatoes, I sell silver fish, onions and vegatables. My capital has now reached 165,000 ($46).
Gimbo says, she has a big plan for the future. “I want to work hard and save money so that my family and I can live a better life. I failed to stay in school because we were poor.” I want in addition to my business to learn embroidery and buy a sewing machine so that I can expand my income”
As an organization, we are excited to follow Gimbo’s innovation story and how it will impact young people to better their lives despite the struggles they face.