A Story of Strength, Sacrifice, and Hope

When Florence lost her mother at just 15 years old, her world changed overnight. As the eldest of five siblings, she was suddenly responsible for a family—without the means to provide even the basics like food, school fees, or medical care. She had to drop out of school and take on odd jobs and farming work to keep her younger siblings alive and cared for.

But Florence was determined not to give up. She began attending meetings of the Iganga Women's Poultry Group, where she started learning the basics of poultry farming. The poultry group, actively supporting women’s empowerment in the community, received support from the El Cantare Foundation. It was there that she took a small first step—with just 10 chickens.

That small start has grown into a livelihood. Today, Florence raises 100 chickens. The poultry business provides daily income through egg and chicken sales, helping her cover basic needs such as food, soap, and clothing. Most importantly, she can now contribute to the education of her siblings, topping up the scholarship support from ECF with her own earnings.