How couple has overcome domestic violence and transformed their Lives

In Kamusene, a small rural community in Uganda, one couple has defied the odds to turn their fortunes around.

Beteth and her husband, once burdened by financial struggles and constant fights over how to make ends meet, have emerged as an inspiring story of resilience and transformation.

For years, life was a daily struggle. Beteth, a mother of three, walked over five miles in search of casual labor just to afford a day's meal. Meanwhile, financial stress and food insecurity strained her relationship with her husband, leading to frequent fights. The weight of poverty seemed inescapable, and hope was in short supply.

Their breakthrough came in 2017 when World Vision invited them to participate in a gender training program focused on conflict resolution and family empowerment.

Though hesitant at first, they took a leap of faith and attended the sessions. With the guidance of trainers, they confronted their frustrations, learned effective communication skills, and began sharing responsibilities at home.

Beteth quickly noticed small but significant change, her husband started collecting water and firewood while she was away working, a gesture that symbolised a shift in their marriage dynamic.

Motivated by this progress, they joined another World Vision initiative in 2018: the Biblical Empowered Worldview training. This was a turning point. They realised that their way out of poverty lay in using the resources they already had.

Determined to change their future, the couple joined a Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) and committed to saving. In a life-changing decision, Beteth’s husband quit alcohol and redirected the money he once spent on drinking toward their savings. With financial discipline, they decided to put their small plot of land, once deemed unproductive, to good use by cultivating coffee.

As their savings grew, they took a loan from the VSLA, which they topped up to purchase additional land, expanding their coffee plantation.

To further secure their income, they ventured into goat rearing, starting with two goats that have now multiplied to 30. The manure from the goats improved their kitchen garden, ensuring a steady supply of nutritious vegetables for their family.

With the mentorship of World Vision staff and community volunteers like Sensio and Vincent, the couple adopted modern farming techniques that significantly boosted their coffee yields.

As their farm thrived, so did their relationship, and their success story became an inspiration to other couples in the community struggling with similar challenges.

Today, Beteth and her husband earn UGX 600,000 (approximately $162) every week from coffee sales. This steady income has enabled them to educate their children, build a better home, and purchase three more acres of land. With a long-term vision in mind, they have now planted cocoa, a strategic investment they believe will secure their children's education for years to come.

“Our coffee is already doing well, but the cocoa is a lifetime guarantee that our children will be educated for life,” Beteth says proudly.

By Sarah. N. Kirabo, Donor Liason Officer and Mungu Jakisa Brian, Communications Officer