SMALL GIFT: BIG DREAM
Help Working Mom Keep Her Children Safe, Fed, and In School
Grace (whose name we’ve changed for privacy) is a devoted Ugandan mother raising three beautiful, bright-hearted children alone: Matthew (14, who has dyslexia), Nuri (10), and baby Nia (2).
For years now, a small circle of friends and I have stood with this family through illness, job loss, and the upheavals that followed. This year, when the father’s financial support suddenly evaporated, we felt moved to widen the circle and invite others to join us.
Grace is educated, disciplined, faithful, and hard-working. She holds a degree and once worked in management for an international agricultural firm. But in 2019—just months before Covid—the company pulled out of Uganda. Everything collapsed at once. The whole family fell ill. Matthew and Nuri recovered quickly. Grandma died. Grace was bedridden for months.
A Much Smaller Monthly Paycheck
When Grace finally recovered, she searched for work. But tribal affiliation in Uganda can open doors—or quietly close them. Grace was in the wrong tribe. The only position she could secure was a contract office-helper job far below her qualifications: $100 for a 50-hour week (about $400 per month). Four years later, she has yet to receive a raise.
She spends about $50/month for scooter transportation to/from work and another $50 for a house helper. Uganda provides no safety net for needy families.
A Marriage That Wasn’t One: The Bottom Falls Out
For years, Grace believed that she was in a committed marriage relationship with the father of her children; and that he lived in Kenya only because of his work. This year, Grace discovered that he had another family—something permitted by his tribe but hidden from her. When she found out, the father withdrew nearly all financial support.
He used to pay the children’s school fees, books, school transport, and lunches—about $600 per child, per term, for four terms a year. Overnight, he stopped everything except the $200 monthly rent. The rest fell on Grace—instantly.
The Children
- Matthew has dyslexia. For years he was labeled “retarded” and bullied at school. About three years ago, we raised money for a proper assessment; and Grace found a small Christian school where he is finally safe and able to learn. But without financial help, Grace will have to take him out of the only school that ever worked for him.
- Nuri is bright, vivacious, and loves to learn. She thrives in her school—but her place is at risk too.
- Baby Nia is a sturdy, radiant toddler. “She is my blessing… and my challenge,” Grace says. As she grows, so do the costs.
Grace’s Faith
Grace is a deeply committed Christian. She and the children attend church every Sunday. Gratitude and prayer are part of every day. Grace never complains. But in the quiet moments when the kids are asleep, she admits that she fears what will happen if the children must leave school.
What It Costs
School fees alone run about $600 each for Matthew and Nuri, per term—roughly $5,000 per year for both. Feeding and clothing three children is another $250 a month. Basic monthly Wi-Fi in Uganda costs $50. Medical needs are constant. Plus Grace suffers from chronic stress and bleeding ulcers. She lands in the hospital periodically. Grace watches every Ugandan shilling like a hawk, but the pressure is intense
Why We're Asking
Since 2019, I and a handful of friends have helped when emergencies struck or special costs or fees were due. But with the father no longer contributing and inflation rising, the strain has become much, much greater.
The yearly goal amount for this GoFundMe drive simply replaces the support the father withdrew. It keeps the children in school, fed, safe, and stable.
- Even a small monthly contribution can make a life-altering difference. A single larger gift can secure months of stability.
The Bigger Dream
Grace has a bigger dream for her family. Her former employer gave her a small plot of land. One day she hopes to build a modest home there for her children—a dream that will require greater resources over time.
If you feel moved to give beyond the immediate goal, that path is open too.
Your Gift Means Everything
Please consider a gift of any size (even $20) for this honorable, hard-working single mom and her children.
- Together we can keep this family stable, dignified, and growing.
We are one world. Thank you. Gwendolyn
Please think about sharing Grace’s story with others: https://gofund.me/d47c979c1
A Note About Donations
- My name is Gwendolyn Galsworth. I am a U.S. citizen, organizing this fundraiser on behalf of Grace and her three children. All contributions are deposited into a U.S. bank account that is kept for this family’s needs—an arrangement Grace and I chose together to make sure her support is steady and dependable. I am fully committed to their well-being, and I care for every dollar with gratitude, integrity, and faith. You can learn more about me at: www.visualworkplace.com