Stranger in a Strange Land

Irene was no stranger to violence. She was born in South Sudan, a nation reeling with the pain of colonialism and civil war. After half a century of bloodshed, three million people were killed. Millions more, displaced. In the aftermath, people began to rebuild, struggling to mend their tattered nation. But in 2013, war returned. 

Sexual violence soared. Thousands of children were used as soldiers. Famine threatened to kill those the soldiers didn’t.  

Amidst this horror, Irene knew her family could not stay. She, her husband, and her four young children fled south, hoping for safety.  

Struggling to Adapt in a New Home 

Irene and her family walked for days across treacherous terrain until they reached a refugee settlement called Bidibidi in northwestern Uganda. Tired, hungry, and scared, they attempted to begin again. 

On their plot of land, the family constructed a thatched-roof house. Limited access to farmable land or income generating activities meant they had to rely on rations for food. 

For nearly a decade, Irene and her family struggled to survive as rations dwindled away. Added to their nutritional challenges were the extra burdens of school tuition and home repairs.  

To generate some income, Irene adapted and began to make bed sheets. She sold these beautiful, hand-crafted products in her community market, but the money just wasn’t enough. Once again, Irene was at a crossroads. Should she stay and risk starvation? Or should she return home to a nation facing a re-escalating crisis? 

Flourishing Through Partnership 

Through her church, Irene connected her with Living Business Education (LBE), a local partner of Partners Worldwide. There, she attended business training and developed her skills in business management and finance, which enabled Irene to take power back into her own hands. 

PW’s business training equipped Irene with the tools she needed to double her production of bed sheets. Today, she earns nearly $100 per month, which has enabled her to pay for school tuition and to rent a plot of farmland.  

Because of your support for Partners Worldwide, resilient entrepreneurs like Irene don’t have to make the difficult choice. Your continued dedication to our mission empowers a growing number of redemptive businesspeople to provide for their families and weave a future marked by hope, joy, and love.