Dorcas Nekesa Musa is a young married woman with two children aged between four years and five months old respectively. She is a primary school dropout, epileptic, and her husband is an alcoholic.  Dorcas was identified by the Community Health Volunteer (CHV) from the Chwele Community Resource and Peace Center at a time when she had just buried her first born who succumbed to a malnutrition-related illness. Her case was desperate as she lacked even basic needs. Heavy rains and floods had also destroyed most of the house leaving only a small section as shelter for the family. She was put on Covid-19 relief program and her house was renovated. Mother and child were given nutritional porridge flour to boost their immune system. 

Dorcas also attends the Mental Health Therapy sessions where she is being helped to build her self-esteem. Her husband is changing his attitude and is now seen helping with chores at home while previously he would be out most of the time. He promises to be at home most of the time and to work with his wife together with CCRPC to improve the lives of his family through farming. Currently she is being accepted back into the community and the stigma associated with her epileptic condition is slowly fading.

During our visit she was very happy to report that her child would be christened the following Sunday. On October 2, Dorcas’s child was christened in the presence of her church members, neighbors, and friends. Our mental health team was represented by Madam Lydia who is one of the volunteer counsellors. The team has continually followed up on Dorcas’s progress by offering nutritional supplements such as enriched porridge and sugar, hygiene support (soap and toothpaste), and, above all, psychosocial support that includes counselling, love, and mentorship. 

We as the CCRPC project have to acknowledge the positive change that Dorcas and her husband are undergoing. What we need is continued financial support to carry out this very impactful project.