Meet the Clients Robinah

Country: Uganda

Left by her husband to look after six children on her own, daily life was a challenge for Robinah Muyama. She struggled to provide regular meals for her children and she couldn’t pay their school fees. But thanks to Opportunity International, a new chapter was written.

After Robinah was left by her husband to care for their six children on her own, daily life was a challenge. She struggled to provide regular meals for her children and she couldn’t pay their school fees.

But thanks to Opportunity International, a new chapter was written. Robinah received a business loan, training and support from Opportunity International. With these, she started a retail shop selling goods and took out a school fee loan to help keep her three youngest children – Esther, Agnes and Deborah – in school. 

Between the business and school fee loans, I am so happy. You can see it in my eyes. My kids are studying, we are doing well, we are flourishing. I’m hopeful their dreams of what they want to be when they grow up are achievable now.

 

Because of the school fees loan I am able to go to nursing school. Here in Uganda we have a high infant mortality rate and I want to do what I can to help keep Mums and babies alive. My Mum went through many things bringing us up as a single mother. She suffered working day and night so that we could go to school. I want to be a good mother like she has been to me. That school fees loan has brought me to where I am today. If not for that I’d be in a village digging somewhere. Because Mum got this loan we can stay in Kampala and have a better future.

Esther, 20

I like school so much. I have learnt many things and made friends. My favourite subject at school is Science. I have some friends that can’t go to school because their parents cannot afford the money. They are at home, doing nothing all day and that makes me sad. I like design and fashion. I will work hard and get money and one day start a job as a fashion designer.

Agnes, 13

Other kids that can’t go to school spend their days mopping the house, sweeping the compound and washing utensils. As for me, I’m going to school but it wasn’t always this easy. My Mum used to not be able to afford to send us sometimes or to provide things like paper, shoes, stockings, uniforms or toilet paper items we needed and that would make me feel embarrassed. Now she can and I can stay in school.

Deborah, 12