A Mother's Resilience: Grace's Triumph Over Adversity -

Grace Bella's life took a drastic turn when she became pregnant and was forced to drop out of school. At just 18 years old, with no support from her family, she moved in with her boyfriend, who was also young and unemployed at 25 years old.During this challenging time, she was approached by DREAMS facilitators who introduced her to their programme. "Sometimes, life throws you curveballs, but it's how you respond that defines your journey," Bella reflected. In February 2024, she enrolled and was immediately drawn to the "Stepping Stones" section, which covered topics such as self-love, body positivity, and family planning methods. She chose the quarterly injection method for birth control and learned about HIV prevention through PrEP and condoms. "Knowledge is power; I finally felt like I was taking control of my life," she shared.Thanks to the financial literacy and soap-making courses offered by DREAMS, Bella and her friends from Bugembe were able to make and sell their own soap products, saving up to 500,000/=. "We started with nothing but a dream and some supplies, and now we’re building a future together," Bella said with a smile. With this money, they purchased sewing machines and materials to start their own sewing business selling items like laptop bags, backpacks, and purses. "Every stitch we make is a step toward independence," she added.Despite her difficult past, Bella is now a happy mother who can provide for her child. "I want my child to know that challenges can lead to beautiful beginnings," she stated. All of this success is thanks to DREAMS' support and empowerment programs. "I’ve learned that resilience is not just about enduring; it’s about thriving," Bella said.