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About She Rears

Goat rearing plays a significant role in the livelihoods of women in Uganda and around the world. The She Rears program was established as a sustainable solution to support women and their children after they reintegrate into their families and communities.

The journey was challenging at first,we lost many animals due to inadequate spacing and shelter. However, through resilience and learning, we improved our practices to create a more sustainable and supportive environment for both the women and the livestock.

Many of the women we work with come from devastating situations. Often, they were lured to the city as teenagers by relatives or friends who promised them job opportunities, only to face harsh realities upon arrival. Without proper support, they became vulnerable to exploitation and hardship.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, She Rears became a vital solution, providing teen mothers, women, the elderly, and their children with the means to rebuild their lives.

Many families in urban communities were struggling, and while monthly food donations helped, we recognized the need for a long-term, sustainable approach. This led us to develop a program centered around three core principles: Embracing, Empowering, and Equipping,what we call the 3Es.

Through She Rears, women are given the resources, skills, and knowledge to create a stable source of income and food security, fostering independence and resilience for generations to come.

The 3Es.

EMBRACING

We welcome all women with open arms, respecting both their struggles and their strengths. Rehabilitation begins with acceptance, allowing women to be themselves creates a safe space for healing and growth. When they feel seen and valued, they open up and begin their journey toward transformation.

EMPOWERING

Our vision is to nurture a generation of strong, healthy, and financially independent women. By empowering them, we ensure that future generations, both girls and boys are raised in stable homes with emotionally and socially present parents who can provide the care and guidance they need.

EQUIPPING

Every woman deserves a fresh start. To support them, we provide essential skills and resources physically, emotionally, and economically while creating opportunities that guide them toward self-sufficiency and success.

A significant number of women struggle with housing, as many take on the responsibility of caring for their late siblings’ children in addition to their own. This overwhelming burden affects not only them but also our ability to make quick and effective decisions, as each case involves multiple lives. Careful thought must be given to ensuring that children receive proper education and a stable environment, breaking the cycle of hardship and securing a better future for the next generation.

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We selected a remote project area for this program to support the rehabilitation of mothers, ensuring distance from the city’s influences, such as drugs, alcohol, and prostitution. We began with 15 women and their children, a total of 32 individuals.

Affordable, welcoming housing was secured to provide a stable environment, allowing us to launch the program. Our initial focus was on rehabilitation, hygiene education, and engaging the children in meaningful activities. To support the children, we established a program called "Let Them Talk, Write, and Learn" designed to teach reading, writing, and provide meals while keeping them engaged as their mothers underwent rehabilitation.

By ensuring both mothers and children were purposefully occupied and supported, we created an environment where everyone could fully commit to their transformation.

Read Jjajja Gretuda's story →

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Many women have fallen into addiction, struggling with substance abuse, alcohol, and even the daily sale of these substances. This created a significant gap in their ability to care for and be present for their children. Our goal was to deeply understand the challenges these women faced and the barriers preventing their growth and development.

HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis have claimed many lives, while prostitution and theft related activities remain among the most pressing issues. These harmful cycles must be addressed and fought against with urgency. Our mission is to guide these women toward recovery, helping them reintegrate into society and rebuild their lives in a positive, sustainable way.

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Six women joined the sewing program, while the rest showed a strong interest in animal rearing. We recognized that a sustainable program would be more manageable and financially beneficial, especially once production gained value. This led to the birth of the "She Rears" project, created to support women passionate about raising animals for long-term sustainability.

Starting small, we gradually expanded, overcoming various challenges along the way. One of the biggest setbacks was the theft of our first goats, which slowed our progress. However, these trials did not deter us. With persistence, we grew from six goats to thirty within a few months. The offspring from the herd were set aside to help cover housing and medical expenses, ensuring the project's sustainability.

During this period, we also acquired land and introduced "Farming with a Purpose" a program designed to create both food security and economic opportunities. What began as simple initiatives has now transformed lives, providing families with a steady income and fostering self-sufficiency within the community. These projects continue to play a crucial role in achieving our ultimate goal.

Mama Evidence's Story →

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After assessing the situation in these vulnerable communities, we spent two months identifying suitable locations to resettle the women removing them from high-risk areas affected by drugs and instability and placing them in safer environments where they could raise their children.

This process was costly, requiring us to secure affordable housing, develop a sustainable maintenance plan, and carefully structure the families’ placements. Despite being mothers, it was crucial to implement strict rules that everyone had to respect, ensuring a stable and disciplined environment to prevent past patterns from recurring.

We understood that this stage required careful planning and preparation. Anticipating challenges, we remained committed to creating a structured, supportive foundation for these women and their children to rebuild their lives.

Why she Rears and mode of operation?

Importances of the she Rears program

Restoring, Rebuilding, and Reconstructing Families

Through rehabilitation and housing support, we help families regain stability and a sense of belonging.

Empowering Women Through Skills and Training

We equip women with practical skills such as sewing, baking, farming, and animal rearing, enabling them to become self-sufficient.

Strengthening Family Units

By resettling women into safe and supportive environments, we ensure children grow up with present mothers and a stable family structure that nurtures their development.

Reducing Rural-to-Urban Migration Driven by False Hope

We work to prevent women from leaving their homes in search of better opportunities in cities, only to face exploitation and disappointment.

Breaking Cycles of Poverty and Desperation

By providing alternatives to survival-driven behaviors, we help prevent young children from following in the footsteps of struggling parents.

Ensuring Food Security for Children

Through sustainable farming, we aim to provide enough food to meet the daily nutritional needs of the children in our care.

Raising Awareness on Health Issues

We educate communities about HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis, diseases that have tragically claimed the lives of many women we have supported.

Providing Medical Care and Support

We facilitate access to necessary medical treatment, including surgeries and specialized care for sick children and mothers.

Fostering Long-Term Independence

After rehabilitation and healing, we empower women to become self-reliant, ensuring they can sustain themselves and their families.

How we operate through this program

Our program is designed to support every woman, helping them achieve economic stability and emotional healing. Many have endured severe hardships that leave lasting trauma, often requiring years of recovery.

Once the women come together, we focus on rebuilding their lives. We create strategic plans tailored to their needs, ensuring they are actively involved in every decision. They understand their struggles better than anyone, so their input is crucial in shaping effective solutions.

Housing Support

At the start, we secure affordable housing, ensuring it is manageable within our budget. As they regain independence, we continue supporting them, ensuring they transition into stable, self-sufficient living situations while remaining within a sustainable financial plan.

Rehabilitation & Development

Rehabilitation includes counseling, HIV/AIDS awareness, skill-building, family reunification, decision-making guidance, and customized development plans based on each family’s specific challenges. Every family is unique, so we prioritize addressing their most pressing needs individually.

Sustainable Livelihoods Through Goat Rearing

Each woman in our program participates in goat rearing, as it directly benefits them all. Women who are ready to reintegrate into their families receive goats as part of their transition, a means of financial stability. Each woman takes home a goat, along with three young ones, to support her children.

For those needing additional assistance, we step in to provide a solid foundation. We only sell goats in cases of emergencies, such as medical expenses, children’s support, or when a woman is moving into her own home. Our priority is ensuring every woman has the necessary resources to stand on her own before full independence.