Mary Atukunda RSCJ, from Uganda, shares stories from her community that inspire us to engage in small acts of hope. Through her narratives, she highlights the everyday heroism and compassion of individuals who make a difference in the lives of others.

CREATING A SMILE ON PEOPLE’S FACES AS AN ACT OF JUSTICE

I met Brian on my way home from school, as you can see in the picture. The clothes he wore were in poor condition, typical for a street child. There was no indication of any joy on his face. In our community, we have a box that occasionally contains emergency clothing for those in need. I decided to pick out a few items and gave them to him. About two weeks later, I heard someone calling from behind me. When I turned around, I was delighted to see the same little boy running toward me, his face beaming with a smile. What a remarkable difference! I exclaimed in my heart. This experience reinforced the idea that small acts of kindness can significantly impact others' lives, bringing hope and joy to those who need it most.

 

CREATING SMILES AND JOY FOR PEOPLE IN LITTLE WAYS THROUGH AGRICULTURE AS AN ACT OF JUSTICE

I would like to begin by expressing my heartfelt gratitude to Sr. Susan Anyango, RSCJ, and her dedicated team for their outstanding work. Implementing agricultural initiatives in the Karamoja region is particularly challenging due to the uncertainties brought about by climate change. However, during my participation in one of these projects, I witnessed the joy that people experienced after receiving a small allowance at the end of their workday.

One memorable encounter was with a student who shared his plans for using his earnings to cover pocket money and school supplies. His excitement reflected a message of hope, illustrating how basic needs can be met through such projects. Once again, Sr. Susan, I truly appreciate your efforts in combating hunger and unemployment in Karamoja through these small yet impactful initiatives.

 

CREATING SMILES AND JOY FOR PEOPLE IN SMALL WAYS (DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN KARAMOJA)

The two ladies seated on the left-hand side in the picture are part of a family, with one being the mother of the second-to-last child. The mother had separated from her husband, and the children were taken to live with their new stepmother, who unfortunately attempted to poison them. As a result, they joined their mother in a small rental house that lacked food and basic necessities.

The smile you see on their faces is a reflection of the support provided by the Women’s Desk, which offered them the opportunity to start a small business. Despite its modest beginnings, this initiative brought them joy and hope for a better future. Today, they are doing fairly well, demonstrating that even small acts of kindness can have a significant impact on the lives of those affected by domestic violence.