Staff stories: Beatrice Atieno Obware, Houseparent

My name is Beatrice Atieno Obware. I was born in 1975 in Seme village, near Kombewa Market. I started my primary education at a nearby school called Oruga. After finishing my primary level I later got a chance at St Barnabas Secondary School in the same area. After that I got married at Asembo Kakia near Aram market. The almighty God blessed us with four children, two girls and two boys. My husband was just a farmer. When it reached January 1999 my husband passed away, leaving me behind with an old grandmother and four children to look after. After one year, my grandmother also died. I was left a widow with four children. I struggled very hard to feed my family but later on I got a job at Double Joy Children's Farm. This project is for total orphans. At first, I was a nursery teacher, but since I was not trained, I was given another job as a houseparent.

This project has assisted me very much, now at least I can feed, clothe and educate my children, though education is too expensive. My first born daughter finished Standard Eight this year, while the two boys are in Standard Four. The three of my children are learning at a nearby school called Lusi, while the last born is learning at Ruma School near my working place. Since the project was situated away from my home, our Director gave me a house to stay in free of charge.

Our area is situated near Lake Victoria, so most of the people staying here are farmers. We plant maize, millet, beans, cowpeas, vegetables, etc. We are also having domestic animals such as cows, donkeys, sheep, goats and poultry.

In our community, I'm the secretary of Lusi Women Group and our main work is agriculture. I'm a member of African Inland Church (AIC).