Tell: (+256)772 888599 | Email: info@fichuganda.org | Location: Karacel Community Development Center, Akongatar-Iceme, Oyam, Northern Uganda.
Sarah Awor and her husband Odongo Innocent from Akongatar B share a powerful testimony of transformation in their family life after attending Actions for Life Skills and Value (ALIVE) 10-week campaign training by Foundation for Inclusive Community Help (FICH), and Uwezo Uganda.
Before the training, misunderstandings in their marriage often led to days of silent treatment, and managing their children’s behavior involved strict discipline with physical punishment.
After learning about healthy couple relationships, effective child training, and constructive conflict resolution through the training, their family dynamics shifted dramatically. “The solution to problems is not silence but rather discussing it, apologizing and asking for forgiveness when you realize that you are in the wrong,” Sarah learned.
“Now I know better. When something happens, we sit down and discuss and solve it peacefully and even the children are now listening to us.”
The changes were evident: The couple now resolves conflicts peacefully through discussion, Sarah manages her anger better by analyzing situations before responding. “I started posing and analyzing situations before I respond or answer a question because I was able to realize that some questions are asked to trap you,” she says.
The children, who used to cry or walk away when given responsibilities, are now more obedient and even take initiative in household chores. “In one occasion she witnessed us acting a drama skit on family and when we came home, she offered to cook, get us bathing water and other household chores,” Sarah shares about her 7-year-old daughter.
Odongo, on the other hand spends more time with the children, telling them stories and strengthening bonds. “I come home early to spend time with the children, telling them folk stories which is something our elders used to tell us at a young age,” he says.
“This showed the children that I truly love them because I hear them tell the other children how their father (me) tell them stories every evening at the fire place.”
“We now listen to ideas being brought by our children… guiding her on how to face some situations,” says Odongo. “This program is important and it will make our children live in peace.”
Sarah adds, “I want to appreciate FICH for this wonderful opportunity because our families, and the entire village is shining. We shall carry this message on; our children might also share the same message with other children and life will generally change.”
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