{"id":155766,"date":"2025-07-03T17:02:54","date_gmt":"2025-07-03T14:02:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kirkonulkomaanapu.fi\/?post_type=artikkelit&#038;p=155766"},"modified":"2025-07-04T09:53:26","modified_gmt":"2025-07-04T06:53:26","slug":"braiding-hope-and-healing-marys-new-beginning-in-uganda","status":"publish","type":"artikkelit","link":"https:\/\/www.kirkonulkomaanapu.fi\/en\/latest-news\/articles\/braiding-hope-and-healing-marys-new-beginning-in-uganda\/","title":{"rendered":"Braiding hope and healing: Mary\u2019s new beginning in Uganda\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n<div class=\"block-hero full-width id-block\" style=\"background-image: url('https:\/\/www.kirkonulkomaanapu.fi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/TVET-RETI-Mary-HERO.jpg');\">\n\n\t<div class=\"bg-mobile\" style=\"background-image: url('https:\/\/www.kirkonulkomaanapu.fi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/TVET-RETI-Mary-HERO-square-1024x1024.jpg');\"><\/div>\n\n\t\n\t<div class=\"curtain\"><\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"row\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"inner-blocks entry-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><\/h1>\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Braiding hope and healing: Mary\u2019s new beginning in Uganda&nbsp;<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-ingress\">When Mary fled the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for Rwamwanja Refugee Settlement in Uganda she was in for tough times. She did not have enough money for food or clothes for her family, and the stress of the situation induced headaches radiating from an old head wound. But after she took a course in hairdressing she was able to start her own business and  the headaches disappeared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI felt like I was in a deep hole,\u201d <strong>Dushimana Mary Gorette<\/strong> recalls. \u201cI couldn\u2019t feed my child, I had no job, and the pain in my head never stopped,\u201d she says and refers to recurring headaches she had, radiating from the spot where she was hit with the butt of a gun during the conflict in DRC.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mary arrived in Uganda as a refugee, carrying nothing but uncertainty, pain, and the responsibility of caring for a young child. The old head wound acted up regularly, and the daily stress of survival in a new country only worsened her condition.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe headaches became part of my life. When we came to Uganda, things got worse. I used to sit and cry, wondering what we would eat and how I would take care of my family. The more I worried, the worse the headaches were.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Today, Mary is not just surviving, she is thriving. From her modest hair salon in Kataryebwa town, within Rwamwanja Refugee Settlement, she is building a brighter future for her family, teaching others, and proving that with the right support, a fresh start is possible.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"576\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kirkonulkomaanapu.fi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/TVET-RETI-Mary-11-576x1024.jpg\" alt=\"A woman standing in a doorway.\" class=\"wp-image-155816\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kirkonulkomaanapu.fi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/TVET-RETI-Mary-11-576x1024.jpg 576w, https:\/\/www.kirkonulkomaanapu.fi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/TVET-RETI-Mary-11-270x480.jpg 270w, https:\/\/www.kirkonulkomaanapu.fi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/TVET-RETI-Mary-11-768x1365.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.kirkonulkomaanapu.fi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/TVET-RETI-Mary-11-864x1536.jpg 864w, https:\/\/www.kirkonulkomaanapu.fi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/TVET-RETI-Mary-11-100x178.jpg 100w, https:\/\/www.kirkonulkomaanapu.fi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/TVET-RETI-Mary-11.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 576px) 100vw, 576px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">After Mary opened her own salon the headaches she used to have disappearaed. Photo: Bj\u00f6rn Udd<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Her turning point came when she heard from friends about a free skills training programme offered by Finn Church Aid (FCA) under the Refugee and Host Community Youth Empowerment and Transformation Initiative (RETI). Sceptical, she walked to the FCA office to confirm the information.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"youtube-embed\">        <div class=\"video-wrapper\">              <div class=\"consent-placeholder\"              data-category=\"cookie_cat_marketing\"              onClick=\"CookieConsent.renew()\">                 <div class=\"consent-placeholder-wrapper\">                      <div class=\"text-button-wrapper\">                        <p>Et ole hyv\u00e4ksynyt markkinoinnin ev\u00e4steit\u00e4 n\u00e4hd\u00e4ksesi videon.<\/p>                        <div>                            <button class=\"button red slim\" href=\"javascript:CookieConsent.renew()\">Muuta ev\u00e4steasetuksia<\/button>                        <\/div>                    <\/div>                <\/div>            <\/div>            <\/div>        <div class=\"video-image-oembed\" tabindex=\"0\" style=\"background-image:url('https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/tt02KdF2yZA\/hqdefault.jpg')\"><i class=\"fas fa-play\"><\/i><\/div><div class=\"video-container oembed oembed-youtube\" data-video=\"&lt;iframe title=&quot;Braiding hope and healing: Mary\u2019s new beginning in Uganda&quot; width=&quot;500&quot; height=&quot;281&quot; src=&quot;https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/tt02KdF2yZA?feature=oembed&amp;rel=0&amp;rel=0&quot; frameborder=&quot;0&quot; allow=&quot;accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share&quot; referrerpolicy=&quot;strict-origin-when-cross-origin&quot; allowfullscreen&gt;&lt;\/iframe&gt;\"><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Mary has come a long way from the stress-induced headaches. Video: Bj\u00f6rn Udd \/ FCA<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWhen I found out it actually was free, I told myself this is the chance I\u2019ve been waiting for. I had always wanted to learn a skill and work with my hands.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mary successfully enrolled in the programme and was paired with Madam Anne, a local Ugandan artisan, for hands-on training in hairdressing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Saving money to start a business<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cMadam Anne is younger than me, but she taught me everything,\u201d Mary says. \u201cHow to braid, wash, and care for hair. After the four months of training, she gave me my first tools which were scissors, thread, and a needle, and told me to go and use my skill.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"block-scroll-content id-block full-width inner-blocks entry-content bg\">\n        <div class=\"background\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kirkonulkomaanapu.fi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/TVET-RETI-Mary.jpg\" alt=\"A woman sitting in front of a mirror and picking up a pair of scissors.\">\n    <\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"inner-blocks\">\n        \n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>With her training complete, Mary began receiving home-based braiding jobs through Madam Anne. She saved every shilling she earned and, after just two months, took a bold step and started her own salon. With 400,000 Ugandan shillings (112 US dollars) in savings and a small loan from her husband, she opened a modest shop in Kataryebwa town.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI didn\u2019t have money to buy braids, hair oils, and other materials,\u201d she says. \u201cBut Madam Anne took me to her supplier and asked them to trust me. They gave me items on credit, and I later paid it all back.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Today, Mary earns up to 100,000 shillings (28 US dollars) on a good day. She pays school fees for her eldest child, contributes to household expenses, and recently replaced the tarpaulin roof on their home with iron sheets.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cMy husband is proud of me,\u201d she says. \u201cHe sees I\u2019m not just sitting around; I\u2019m building something.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"576\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kirkonulkomaanapu.fi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/TVET-RETI-Mary-7-576x1024.jpg\" alt=\"A smiling woman in a salon putting a braid in another woman's hair.\" class=\"wp-image-155810\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kirkonulkomaanapu.fi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/TVET-RETI-Mary-7-576x1024.jpg 576w, https:\/\/www.kirkonulkomaanapu.fi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/TVET-RETI-Mary-7-270x480.jpg 270w, https:\/\/www.kirkonulkomaanapu.fi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/TVET-RETI-Mary-7-768x1365.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.kirkonulkomaanapu.fi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/TVET-RETI-Mary-7-864x1536.jpg 864w, https:\/\/www.kirkonulkomaanapu.fi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/TVET-RETI-Mary-7-100x178.jpg 100w, https:\/\/www.kirkonulkomaanapu.fi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/TVET-RETI-Mary-7.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 576px) 100vw, 576px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The salon has helped Mary earn an income, improving her health. Photo: Bj\u00f6rn Udd \/ FCA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Mary\u2019s transformation has not only improved her income but also her health and outlook on life.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI don\u2019t get headaches like before,\u201d she shares. \u201cNow I wake up knowing my children will eat. I can plan. I have hope.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Paying it forward<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Mary is now passing on her skills. She is training her sister and several young women in the community.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThey come after garden work in the afternoon. I teach them for free, but they buy the practice materials. One day, I hope they\u2019ll also have their own businesses.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kirkonulkomaanapu.fi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/TVET-RETI-Mary-13-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Four women standing with their arms around each other in a salon. \" class=\"wp-image-155822\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kirkonulkomaanapu.fi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/TVET-RETI-Mary-13-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.kirkonulkomaanapu.fi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/TVET-RETI-Mary-13-480x270.jpg 480w, https:\/\/www.kirkonulkomaanapu.fi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/TVET-RETI-Mary-13-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.kirkonulkomaanapu.fi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/TVET-RETI-Mary-13-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.kirkonulkomaanapu.fi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/TVET-RETI-Mary-13-316x178.jpg 316w, https:\/\/www.kirkonulkomaanapu.fi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/TVET-RETI-Mary-13.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Mary has employed some of the other participants in the RETI-program, helping them earn an income, too. Photo: Bj\u00f6rn Udd \/ FCA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>To keep improving, Mary uses her smartphone to watch hairdressing tutorials online.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThat\u2019s how I stay updated. I love seeing new fashion and trying it out in the salon.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mary credits the RETI project and FCA for transforming her life.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThey brought this opportunity and connected me to Madam Anne. She treats me like a sister. Without them, I don\u2019t know where I\u2019d be.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Text: Linda Kabuzire<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About RETI<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><em>The Refugee and Host Community Youth Empowerment and Transformation Initiative (RETI) equips refugee and host community youth in Uganda with the skills needed to build sustainable futures. Finn Church Aid partners with eight other organizations in a consortium led by Muni University, to implement the program in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation. The program aims to train 100,000 youth by 2027, 60% female, 70% refugees, and 3% persons with disabilities; and transition at least 70,000 into dignified employment.&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Braiding hope and healing: Mary\u2019s new beginning in Uganda&nbsp; When Mary fled the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for Rwamwanja Refugee Settlement in Uganda she was in for tough times. She did not have enough money for food or clothes for her family, and the stress of the situation induced headaches radiating from an old [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":185,"featured_media":155810,"menu_order":0,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"155668,149710,117936,121626,155369,134729","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","_improvement_type_select":"improve_an_existing","_thumb_yes_seoaic":false,"_frame_yes_seoaic":false,"seoaic_generate_description":"","seoaic_improve_instructions_prompt":"","seoaic_rollback_content_improvement":"","seoaic_idea_thumbnail_generator":"","thumbnail_generated":false,"thumbnail_generate_prompt":"","seoaic_article_description":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[52,338,867,934],"countries":[299,449],"article_themes":[310,312,313,456,554],"class_list":["post-155766","artikkelit","type-artikkelit","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uganda_en","category-refugees","category-resilience","category-tvet","countries-uganda","countries-uganda-2","article_themes-entrepreneurship","article_themes-women","article_themes-refugees","article_themes-equality","article_themes-technical-vocational-education-training-tvet"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Braiding hope and healing: Mary\u2019s new beginning in Uganda\u00a0 - FCA Finn Church Aid<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"When Mary fled the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for Rwamwanja Refugee Settlement in Uganda she was in for tough times. 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