Janet, a single parent with two children, was enrolled in the Family Support Programme in 2019. She was living with epilepsy and the irregular focal seizures made it extremely difficult for her to run a business or find employment. She was unable to afford specialised health care and could not work to provide for her children. “It felt like my life was over, I was all alone with no one to help me.” Her 11-year old son had no choice but to drop out of school and work as there was never enough for school fees.
Tushinde registered her and her children with NHIF and she was able to access inpatient and outpatient treatment services for her condition. Her children were enrolled in school and Janet received the weekly cash transfer to cater to the family’s needs such as meals.
Using the Outcomes Star and tailored case management, Janet was able to identify the needs of her family and set goals to improve their situation. By 2021 she had proceeded to the progression stage and her social worker referred her to the economic empowerment programme. She has been an active participant in all the training sessions portraying remarkable commitment, confidence, and eagerness to learn.
In the group’s savings scheme, Janet was elected as the team lead and treasurer for the table banking/savings group.
With a successful market stall, Janet graduated from the Family Support Programme in December 2022.
The programme has supported her and she is now confident, economically capable, and determined to provide for her children. Tushinde will continue to support her with the medical cover (NHIF) until her children turn 18 years old.
“Tushinde has completely turned my life around. I feel secure now that my children are in school. It is a relief that they don’t have to worry about me anymore because of my condition and they now know that their mother is healthy and strong enough to take care of them. I now get income from my business and for the first time ever, I was able to buy my children some gifts last Christmas. I bought them nice clothes and shoes, they were so excited! I have never been able to afford Christmas gifts before. I am also able to cover food expenses, house rent, and pens for school through my business earnings.”