Stepping Stones Transforming Family Relationships

(UGANDA) “We don’t have much money as a family, but I’m a very happy man now. My family relationships have been restored… this is better than giving me money,” said John Omanga as him and his wife, Jacinta Acen, laugh. “I discuss with my wife what we learn from the Stepping Stones sessions.” John and Jacinta have eight children.

The last two are still at school in primary four and five. The others are older and have gotten married. John and Jacinta are two of 193 community members in the Apai and Akampala fishing communities along Lake Kyoga in the Kaberamaido district who are working with World Renew and their partner Kaberamaido PAG to reduce new HIV infections and improve livelihoods. Prostitution, reckless sexual living, alcoholism and drug abuse characterize life in these communities making them rank high for HIV prevalence.

The story of John and his family represent the changes starting to happen to most of the families participating in the Stepping Stones sessions.

World Renew has introduced the Stepping Stones sessions to most of its partners. As a result of the sessions, family relations have been improved and community cohesion enhanced.

Community members form groups that meet weekly for Stepping Stones sessions under the guidance of Community Health Champions selected from within their own community. After a few months, the different groups come together as an entire community to share and learn from each other.

One such group is “Genere ber” meaning faithfulness is good. This men’s group, which John now belongs to, meets every Wednesday and Friday at the Seventh Day Adventist Church. John confesses that before he joined the

Stepping Stones sessions, there were serious family fights at his home, especially between him and his wife. “The family was not united; we had no love in our lives. As a fisherman, I had little time to spend with my children,” said John. “I joined the Stepping Stones group through my friend

Moses Orute (a Pentecostal Assemblies of God pastor whom World Renew has trained as a health champion in that village). Moses approached me and told me interesting stories that they were sharing as older men in the Stepping Stones sessions. One day I picked up courage and joined the session. The discussions were animated, especially when we were sharing on the topics of love, communication in family, and the language of sex. I got interested in following up the discussions.” John has now been a part of weekly learning sessions for over six months.

“I used to waste my time and even resources I got from fishing in reckless living but Stepping Stones sessions have now helped me to get focused,” said John. “This is better than giving us money!” The project is starting to change families and communities from the old wasteful life to a new one. I’m reminded of God’s word in Romans 12:2 ‘Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.’ I see this happening in Akampala and Apai villages. God is transforming lives in families.

Prayer Items:

Resources for building the work going on in communities like Akamapla and Apai. They are now aspiring and in need of guidance in livelihood. We pray that they are able to raise and manage their own resources with the help of village savings and loans.
Health, safety, strength and wisdom as I work with these communities. My work involves long distance travels.
God’s guidance and presence in our work in Uganda.