17 Jul
Sexual And Reproductive Health & Rights

Empowered to Stay in School: Uwase Janet’s Journey with Family Planning in Nakivale.

Empowering Refugee Girls Through Family Planning: How Shared Action Africa Helped Uwase Janet Stay in School and Secure Her Future in Nakivale Settlement.

At just 22 years old, Uwase Janet, a student at Nakivale Vocational Training Centre Institute in Uganda’s Isingiro District, is an inspiring example of how access to family planning education can transform the life of a young refugee woman. Through a program implemented by Shared Action Africa under the ARJ (A Raise for Reproductive Justice for Refugee Girls) initiative, Janet and many other young women have gained vital knowledge on reproductive health and the power to make informed choices.

Janet recalls how her life changed after Shared Action Africa visited their institute. “They counselled us on the different family planning methods and how effective they are,” she says. “I chose the Sayana injection, which works for three years, and it has been so effective for me.“

Having a boyfriend, Janet knew the risks of unplanned pregnancy. But with the knowledge and access to family planning, she has been able to protect herself and stay focused on her education. “Family planning has helped me avoid unwanted pregnancy. I’m still in school and almost finishing my course,” she shares with pride.

Unfortunately, not all her peers have had the same journey. “The girls I was studying with dropped out of school because of unplanned pregnancies,” Janet says. “But I stayed because I used the skills I got from the training by Shared Action Africa. It really helped me succeed.“

Janet speaks highly of the support offered by the organization. “I appreciate Shared Action Africa for the love they have for the girl child. My life is simple and enjoyable now,” she says. “I haven’t faced any challenges using the family planning method I chose.“

Uwase Janet’s story is a testament to the life-changing impact of reproductive health education and support in refugee settings. Thanks to Shared Action Africa, she is not just surviving but thriving—with her future still bright and within reach.

15 Jul
Sexual And Reproductive Health & Rights

Reclaiming My Life Through Family Planning: Evelina’s Journey in Nakivale

“Family Planning Gave Me My Life Back”: Nyabenda Evelina’s Story from Nakivale Refugee Settlement.

At 37 years old, Nyabenda Evelina, a mother of seven, a refugee from Burundi, and a resident of Kabazaana Village in Nakivale Refugee Settlement, Isingiro District, Uganda, shares a powerful testimony of how access to family planning transformed her life, restored her marriage, and brought stability to her household.

Evelina recalls the early years of motherhood with hardship and exhaustion. “I had my first three children one after the other, without any space in between,” she says. “I was constantly weak and tired, and my children were unhealthy because we couldn’t afford a balanced diet.”

Before she was introduced to family planning, Evelina had no knowledge of contraceptive methods. The rapid succession of births left her overwhelmed. “The children would wet the bedroom, and I was always unkempt. My husband didn’t like it. He became distant and started seeing other women because I was always breastfeeding and had no time for him. I was just too tired to be a wife.”

Everything began to change when Shared Action Africa brought health services to her village through its mobile clinic and community outreach program. It was during one of these sessions that Evelina learned about the Sayana Press injectable contraceptive. Realizing the opportunity to reclaim control over her life, she immediately opted for the three-year injection.

“Family planning gave me my life back,” Evelina explains. “After starting on Sayana, I began spacing my children. I could work, rest, and take care of my husband again. Our marriage was restored, and now we live in peace.”

With fewer childcare demands and improved health, Evelina and her husband have been able to focus on economic stability. “Now we produce children at our own pace, and we can support them well,” she adds. “There is happiness at home. I live without stress, and I’m working towards my development dreams.”

Evelina expresses deep gratitude to Shared Action Africa: “Thank you for loving our communities and for changing my life.” Nyabenda said.

Evalina story stands as a testament to the life-changing impact of accessible family planning services in refugee communities.

15 Jul
Sexual And Reproductive Health & Rights

Empowered Through Family Planning

How Family Planning Transformed Najjissa Nimaana’s Life: A Refugee Mother’s Journey to Stability and Empowerment in Nakivale.

Najjissa Nimaana Vanancia, a 28-year-old refugee from Rwanda, now lives in Kabazaana Village within the Nakivale Refugee Settlement in Uganda. A mother of two, Najjissa has become an inspiring example of how access to family planning can transform lives.

After entering a committed relationship with her first serious boyfriend, Najjissa embraced a life of happiness with him. However, she admits her biggest fear was getting pregnant before marriage. “I was scared of falling pregnant before I was ready,” she recalls. “I wanted to build a future first.”

While selling tomatoes at her stall in the village, Najjissa met a Village Health Team (VHT) member from Shared Action Africa. The VHT offered her guidance and counseling on family planning methods to help prevent unwanted pregnancies and promote child spacing. Encouraged by this support, Najjissa chose the Sayana injection, a method that provides protection for three months per dose.

She was referred to Kabazaana Health Centre III, where she met Shared Action Africa health workers who trained her further about her chosen method. “They were so friendly and supportive,” she says. “They helped me start Sayana immediately, and I’ve used it successfully for three years.”

Thanks to this decision, Najjissa has been able to space her children well—her firstborn is now five years old and in school, and her second child is one year old. She says family planning has given her the ability to support her family and work productively. “Our children are healthy because we can take care of them and provide a balanced diet,” she adds. “I look strong and healthy because I gave my body time to rest.”

Najjissa deeply appreciates Shared Action Africa for their role in her journey. “They moved me into the world of technology where child spacing is helping families grow financially,” she says. “We are happy and managing well as a family because we only have the children we can afford.”

Her story is a powerful testimony to how informed choices in reproductive health can empower women, strengthen families, and build better futures.

14 Jul
Sexual And Reproductive Health & Rights

Freedom to Plan

“The Injection That Changed My Life”, Twisabe Evvetu’s Journey to Empowerment in Nakivale.

At just 23 years old, Twisabe Evvetu, a refugee from Burundi now living in Kabazaana Village within Uganda’s Nakivale Refugee Settlement, has endured hardships that many never face in a lifetime. A mother of three, Twisabe’s early years were marked by loss, rejection, and immense uncertainty—until she discovered the life-changing impact of family planning.

Twisabe became pregnant for the first time while still in school.

Alone and struggling to raise her first child, she later became pregnant again by a different partner who, like the first, refused to take responsibility.

Her life began to shift when she encountered a Village Health Team (VHT) member supported by Shared Action Africa, an organization working to empower women and girls in refugee and host communities. The health worker provided accurate information on reproductive health, and Twisabe opted for the one-year injectable contraceptive.

“That injection changed everything,” she says. “It was the injection of my life—it brought back my happiness.”

With newfound control over her reproductive choices, Twisabe was able to focus on rebuilding her life. She secured work, regained confidence, and eventually met a caring and supportive partner who later became her husband. Today, they are raising a healthy one-year-old child together and sharing responsibilities as equals.

Twisabe reports no side effects from her family planning method and actively encourages other young women to seek reproductive health services.

“Family planning gave me a second chance. I now have a voice in my home and the freedom to live and plan for the future.I thank Shared Action Africa for empowering me and changing my life. That injection didn’t just prevent pregnancy—it gave me back my life.” She said .

 

14 Jul
Sexual And Reproductive Health & Rights

Restoring Dignity Through Family Planning

Restoring Dignity Through Family Planning: Katusiime Maureen’s Story of Transformation in Kabazaana.

At just 22 years old, Katusiime Maureen from Kabazaana village in Isingiro District is already a mother of three. Her firstborn is five years old, the second is four, and the youngest is now one. Like many young mothers in rural Uganda, her journey into motherhood was sudden, intense, and largely unsupported—until she discovered the power of family planning.

Reflecting on her early years of motherhood, Maureen shares how quickly her life spiralled out of control after having her first two children in rapid succession. “I gave birth to two children one after the other,” she says. “It was like raising twins, and they took up all my time. I had no time for myself or my husband. Our relationship started to fall apart.”

Maureen recalls how the lack of spacing affected not just her marriage, but also her health and appearance. “I looked old and tired. I didn’t have the strength or time to care for myself. My husband stopped coming home because he said I looked dirty and unattractive. He started looking at younger, better-looking women,” she says.

Her physical well-being deteriorated further due to the nutritional and emotional demands of closely spaced pregnancies. “I lacked proper vitamins because I didn’t rest between pregnancies or breastfeed properly. There wasn’t enough food at home. The children kept falling sick, sometimes all of them at once. Life was not easy,” she explains.

Everything began to change when Maureen met a Village Health Team (VHT) member from Shared Action Africa during a visit around her village. The VHT introduced her to family planning services and offered her counselling. “She spoke to me kindly and explained everything clearly. I picked interest immediately and followed her advice.”

Maureen was referred to Kabazaana Health Centre III, where Shared Action Africa has trained health workers offering free and confidential family planning services. After receiving counselling, she opted for the Intrauterine Device (IUD), a long-acting and reversible method of contraception.

“That decision changed everything,” Maureen says with pride. “Our third child came after enough spacing. My husband returned home, and love came back to our relationship. We have peace at home again.”

With more time and energy, Maureen says she has reclaimed her life. “Now, I look good because I have time to care for myself. I dress up, look cute, and prepare well for my husband. Our children are healthy, and we can feed them properly. They’re all in school, and we are not struggling the way we used to.”

She also celebrates the ability to contribute financially. “I’ve started working and now bring something to the table at home. It feels good to support my family.”

Maureen deeply appreciates Shared Action Africa’s role in restoring her life. “I was seen as an old woman at just 19. But family planning brought my dignity and youth back. I thank Shared Action Africa for giving me the service for free and helping me build a better future.”

Her story is a powerful reminder that access to family planning is not just a health issue—it’s a gateway to renewed confidence, economic empowerment, and stronger family relationships.

velihoods—one harvest at a time.

14 Jul
Sexual And Reproductive Health & Rights

Empowering Women through Family Planning

Empowering Women through Family Planning: Iragena Rorange’s Journey in Nakivale Refugee Settlement

In the heart of Isingiro District, southwestern Uganda, the Nakivale Refugee Settlement is home to over 100,000 refugees from across East Africa. Amidst the daily struggles of displacement, stories of resilience and transformation often go unheard. One such story is that of Irajena Rorange, a 23-year-old refugee from Rwanda and a resident of Kabazaana zone within the settlement.

A mother of two young children—her first born is just two years old, and her second only three months—Rorange’s experience reflects the complex challenges many young refugee women face in accessing reproductive health services. “I conceived again immediately after giving birth,” she says. “At that time, I had no knowledge of family planning.”

The realities of raising two children in rapid succession without adequate support have been overwhelming. “Both my children are still babies and need constant care,” she explains. “I’m alone at home most of the time. I have to manage everything—childcare, domestic work, and supporting my husband. It has been exhausting.”

It was during a routine visit to Kabazaana Health Centre III to immunize her baby that Rorange encountered a turning point. There, a health worker from Shared Action Africa, a local women-led organization supporting sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR) in refugee settlements, was conducting an education session on family planning.

“The health worker was describing a life that sounded exactly like mine,” Rorange recalls. “For the first time, I felt seen. I realized that I had options—that I could take control of my life and health.”

Inspired and informed, Rorange chose to adopt a long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) method Jadelle, a five-year hormonal implant. “That decision gave me hope,” she says. “It marked the beginning of a new journey for me.”

Beyond the physical toll of back-to-back pregnancies, Rorange also speaks candidly about the emotional stress at home. “My husband often criticized me for the constant crying of the children, for smelling of baby urine, for looking untidy. But I wasn’t careless—I was overwhelmed, unsupported, and completely burnt out. Now I understand that what I needed was information, and a chance to plan.”

With the burden of unplanned pregnancy lifted, Rorange now envisions a more stable and empowered future. “This has restored some peace in my home. I can breathe, rest, and even think about working to support my family financially. I want to be a productive woman, not just a struggling mother.”

She expresses deep gratitude to Shared Action Africa for the role they played. “They have helped me see myself as part of the world of visionary women. I now feel that I have a purpose and the power to shape my future.”

Rorange’s story is emblematic of the broader impact that access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services can have in humanitarian settings. With the right information and support, women and girls even in the most challenging circumstances can make informed decisions that transform their lives.

As global efforts toward gender equality and universal health coverage intensify, voices like Rorange’s serve as a powerful reminder: family planning is not merely a health intervention it is a critical tool for empowerment, dignity, and development.

she said.

10 Apr
Sexual And Reproductive Health & Rights

The Impact of Family Planning on Kelemanzi Wiziyimana’s Life

Kelemanzi’s Choice to Use Family Planning Created a Brighter Future for Herself and Her Children.

As a single mother of three young children aged 6, 4, and 2. Kelemanzi Wiziyimana faced a unique set of challenges within the refugee settlement. Balancing the demands of motherhood with the responsibilities of running a small grocery business, her daily life was a constant juggling act. The burden of unplanned pregnancies threatened to derail her dreams and limit the future she envisioned for her children.

“I used to feel overwhelmed and uncertain about the future,” Kelemanzi recalls. “Every day was a struggle to make ends meet, and I worried about how I would give my children the life they deserve.”

Hope came from an unexpected source: the village health teams working under Shared Action Africa’s family planning project. When Kelemanzi was introduced to the concept of family planning, it marked the beginning of a life-changing journey. With the guidance and compassionate support of local healthcare providers, she made the informed decision to adopt the Jadelle implant method.

“This choice gave me a sense of control over my life for the first time in years,” she says. “I could finally plan my future and focus on what matters most my children.”

The impact of this decision rippled through every part of her life. With her children spaced out more effectively, Kelemanzi was able to distribute her time, energy, and resources more equitably. This balance enabled her to keep her grocery business running and ensure her older children could attend school something she once thought was out of reach.

“Before, I was just surviving. Now, I’m building a future,” she says proudly.

The Jadelle implant empowered her to take charge of her reproductive health, and as her confidence grew, so did her passion for family planning advocacy. Inspired by her own transformation, she began encouraging other women in the settlement to explore their options and make informed decisions about their own reproductive choices.

“Many women are afraid or misinformed,” Kelemanzi explains. “When they see my story, they realize they’re not alone and that they have choices.”

Her resilience and perseverance have made her a source of inspiration in her community. Kelemanzi’s personal journey has become a powerful example of how knowledge and access to healthcare can shift the course of a person’s life. Her influence reaches far beyond the walls of her small shop, spreading awareness and hope.

Through her determination and the support of Shared Action Africa’s family planning program, Kelemanzi has proven that single mothers have the power to shape their destinies and create better lives for their families. Her story is a testament to the strength of women who refuse to be defined by hardship.

“Family planning changed everything for me,” she says. “Now, I can dream again—not just for myself, but for my children.”

Today, Kelemanzi’s journey stands as a symbol of empowerment, resilience, and the transformative power of choice. Her story continues to inspire others, showing that with the right support and information, even the most difficult circumstances can be turned into opportunities for growth and change.

08 Apr
Sexual And Reproductive Health & Rights

Jane Uwase’s Journey to Family Peace and Well-Being Through the Youth Sexual and Reproductive Health Program of Shared Action Africa.

Jane Uwase , a refugee woman living in Nakivale Refugee settlement, speaks from the depths of her heart with immense gratitude, sincerely appreciating Shared Action Africa for transforming her family’s lifestyle. Uwase stated that the organization has played a crucial role in her journey as a mother, having conceived at the early age of 16.

She expressed that Shared Action Africa educates both women and men on how to create awareness on sexual and reproductive health, the importance of counseling couples on SRHR and fostering peace and stability in a home.

“The father of my children and I used to have differences on use of family planning and this resulted in fights quite often. However, through counselling and guidance of health workers and peer educators who visited our home, we have changed for the better. Their support has restored happiness, peace, and unity in our family, benefiting both us and our children. The Shared Action Africa team listens to us individually and also allows us to share our challenges privately as mothers. The team pays close attention to our health and personal concerns, ensuring that every issue is addressed with care. Personally, I used to give birth at home. My firstborn, who is now six years old, was born under such conditions. However, after attending their training sessions and lessons, I chose to give birth in a hospital, where I safely delivered my second child, who is now three years old. They have taught me the importance of child spacing using modern contraception for better health. Through their support, we have learned how to protect ourselves from sexually transmitted infections, the importance of personal hygiene and rights women and girls to access sexual and reproductive health services including family planning. We now have access to family planning services with fear of stigmatization from our peers and ourselves. Additionally, we receive mental health and psycho-socio support through counselling. We are given privacy and feel free to speak with health workers whenever we need to. They are always friendly and supportive of all of us especially the young mothers,” Jane said.

16 Mar
Advocacy, Sexual And Reproductive Health & Rights

Promoting Menstrual Health & Hygiene

Savings Groups Promote Menstrual Health

Adolescent girls and young people have come together to promote their menstrual health and hygiene, which is one of the leading sexual and reproductive health care challenges faced by women of reproductive age in the refugee and host communities in Nakivale and Oruchinga refugee settlements. It is for this reason that Shared Action Africa supported 30 adolescent girls and young women to form a savings and lending group that they named “Oruchinga Youth Protection Group”, with a membership of 25 girls and 7 boys.

The group was initially formed as a savings and lending group to help members pool their meagre savings on a weekly basis, but also as forum through which members would be provided sexual and reproductive health counselling and services. It is through subsequent meetings, where members noticed consistent absenteeism by female members around the same period every month, that the leadership decided to find out from their members why they were not attending group meetings on a regular basis.

It was then revealed by members that lack of access to sanitary pads during menstruation hindered them from joining group activities, and it is for this reason that they jointly decided to seek training on how to produce handmade sanitary pads.

To support their efforts, Shared Action Africa provided them UGX 150,000 which they used to buy some materials that they are using both during training, as well as in the production of reusable sanitary pads for their own personal use and for close family members.

“The sanitary making group activity has not only strengthened the social connectedness of members, but it has improved the menstrual hygiene and health of members. This is because we not only meet to save and lend out to each other, we also meet to receive education on how to promote personal hygiene during menstruation. We are working hard to improve our skills in the making of sanitary pads so that we can grow beyond making sanitary pads for our own use into turning it into an income generating activity for both individual members as we as for the groups.

We are grateful for the support provided to by Shared Action Africa and African Women’s Development Fund. We plan to share this knowledge with other youth led groups so that they can also have a group activity that does not help them bond, but also addresses their menstrual health because we also believe young people are the best agents and drivers of change amongst their peers, and the community they live in.”

16 Mar
Advocacy, Sexual And Reproductive Health & Rights

Krematic’s Story

KREMATIC’S STORY | Surviving and Healing from Sexual Assault & Trauma

Krematic a 23-year-old survivor of rape is rebuilding her life through the psychosocial that she is receiving through the Youth SRHR Friendly space created at the Rubondo HCIII facility in Nakivale Refugee Settlement in southwestern Uganda. At the age of 18, Kremestic, a Congolese refugee was sexually assaulted at age of 18 as she returned from school. At the time, she did not know how to access information and support to take the steps taken to immediately following a sexual assault. For instance, to get the care she needed to prevent unwanted pregnancy, and never found justice for the crime committed against her. Consequently, at the age of 23 she is still picking up the pieces after this traumatic experience that happened 5 years ago. She was banished from her home by her parents due to the stigma associated with raising a single mother coupled with the burden of caring for an additional person in an already resource constrained environment.

The sexual assault impacted my lives in so many ways that I struggling to recover from. I was chased from my home, and I had to find shelter for myself and my child. I was not ready to become a mother and had no support. I was interested in pursuing an education with the hope of improving our lives as family, because it is very hard to survive as refugees in another country. I struggled to find employment and take care of my child at the same time. It is not until I heard about the Shared Action Africa and the programs, they were implementing in my village that I got interested on how I participate to help with my personal healing, and also help others that might be going through the same struggles recover and start a support group that will help us bond around specific activities that we could do together like starting joint income generating activities or forming a savings and lending groups from which we would access small loans to meet our financial needs.

After receiving training from Shared Action Africa on various topics related to adolescent sexual and reproductive care, and learned about how to prevent unwanted pregnancies through emergency contraception, prevention of STIs, particularly HIV through Prep, menstrual hygiene among other topics, I was motivated to serve in the capacity of Peer Educator and Advocacy Champion. Serving in the capacity of advocacy Champion, I am part of Youth SRHR Collective, that brings together 170 other adolescent girls to advocate for spaces to be created at some health facilities so that the young people like myself can access sexual and reproductive health care in a safe environment. Also, through the knowledge acquired through attending group meetings where we are sensitized by our rights to sexual and reproductive health and rights, and the services available at the health facilities, I not only counsel my peers on the same subjects, but I more empowered to make informed decisions, in case I encounter the same situation as I did five years.

In addition to being part of team of committed young people making a difference in our community, I am also earning a monthly stipend from providing SRHR related services to my peers. Similarly, through training provided by Shared Action Africa, I joined a savings and lending group through which I can access some small loans, whenever I have a financial need.

I am particularly happy with the reflective community dialogues conducted for adolescents together with their parents to discuss subjects related to sexuality, a subject that is culturally never discussed by parents with their children. I am very supportive of this activity because if my parents had an opportunity to participate in the same, I would probably be living with my parents now. Such programs are important to change the mindsets of our communities about allowing adolescents and young people to access sexual and reproductive health care to improve our lives.
I would like to urge Shared Action Africa to bring us vocational training programs for single mothers like me so that we can get a second chance in life.

Thank you, SAA, for changing our lives and my community.

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