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| Milly (right) stands next to her pig sty. Milly took a training class from CCF Uganda on how to raise pigs. She now earns enough money to support her eight children and put them through school. |
After her husband died in 2003
Milly wondered if she would be able to survive and support her eight children — Milly had never been employed.
In 2004 Milly attended a village meeting where the chairman informed the community that CCF was looking for people to train on farming methods.
Soon after the village meeting, CCF Ugandaworkers visited Milly's village and registered people who wanted to be trained on raising pigs.
Milly decided to participate in the training. “We were immediately enrolled in a one-week course on gardening and farming,” Milly said. Milly had raised pigs once before the training. “I would tie them on a rope and take them to the garden to feed. Now I give them shelter because I am equipped with knowledge on how to look after them in the right way.”
CCF helped Milly build a pig sty at her home. "The sty was used as a model for the community to demonstrate how pigs are reared,” Milly said.
CCF gave Milly a pair of piglets, male and female, once she had completed the training. “These little piglets I was given have grown so big! They have fetched money for me and I have been able to educate my children,” she said.
Milly earns about $121 per month from raising pigs. She has started other sustainable livelihood activities such as poultry and banana farming. She also raises locally-bred chickens and sells them.
Milly's children help with the family business. With her income, Milly has been able to send all her children to school over the years. “My first born is now studying at the university. She is studying business and has one year left to finish, ” Milly said.
Milly and her children have seen tough times but with her new business Milly is able to support her family and give them opportunities for better futures. “Knowledge is great power. It is the knowledge I got from Christian Children’s Fund that has gotten me where I am,” Milly said.