Meet Auma Grace — A Journey of Resilience and New Beginning
- by admin April 25, 2025 News
Growing up, Auma’s dreams of education were shattered early. Her father refused to send her to school, believing that girls were meant for marriage, not education. Later, the LRA conflict displaced her and her siblings from their home, forcing them into a camp. In the midst of hardship, her father arranged for her to marry at just 15 years old so she could support her younger brothers.
But tragedy struck again. Her beloved husband was killed during the war, leaving Auma a young widow and single mother. Despite the hardships, she ventured into business to support herself and her child. Yet, she faced daily challenges—struggling with simple calculations, giving wrong change to clients, and often being cheated in transactions because she couldn't read or write.
"My business took me across Uganda, Congo, DRC, Kenya, and Tanzania," she shared. "But many times, I got lost because I couldn’t read signposts. Sometimes bus would even leave me behind. In business, I was asked to sign or write my name, but I didn't even know how to hold a pen properly or spell my name."
When Auma heard about NUFOBO’s literacy classes, she was determined to join. However, her children discouraged her, joking that she might tear the book because she didn’t know how to hold a pen. Still, Auma’s desire for change was stronger than fear or shame.
"I want to learn to write and spell my name, to calculate change properly, and to read signposts so I won’t get lost again while traveling," she said with hope in her voice.
Today, Auma Grace is courageously rewriting her story, one letter and number at a time.
As you can see in the photo, Auma is seated at the front line, wearing blue — a true symbol of her commitment, courage, and hunger for learning. We are honored to walk this journey of empowerment with her.