My name is Awor Sophie, I'm a strong believer in Christ. I'm 30 years of age. I live in Buga cell, Western ward, Kamdini town council. My husband was unfortunately lynched by a mob early this year and I became a widow. At the time of my husband's death, I was pregnant with my last born.
Sophie Awor and her children as she shares her story
As my pregnancy grew, I felt terribly sick along with one of my other children. I was forced to sell one of the bulls left at home in order to raise money to get treatment both for myself and my child. My husband's brother did not perceive it in a good way, he became so mad at me as to why I sold the bull.
The worst news came a few weeks later when the bank came with an agreement they had with my late husband. The house where we live was to be taken by the bank since my husband put it as part of the security for acquiring a loan. I had nothing to do, if the bank was to take over the house, I and the children would have nowhere to live. So I decided to sell off a piece of land that we have in order to raise money to clear the bank loan. Which I did and our house was secured.
My brother-in-law became so wild at me and tried to take over all that my husband left behind. When I reached out to the clan [family] leaders, they tried to have us reach an agreement, but I didn’t see any change come out of it. The man wanted me out of his late brother's house, yet I have children to take care of.
One day, as I was walking on the road and I was crying, I met a certain woman who knew what I was going through, she then advised me to reach out to Ignite Change. She directed me where their officers are located and gave me confidence that Ignite Change would help me.
Indeed when I went to the Ignite Change’s offices, they listened to my story and swiftly came into action. They reported the case to the police, they then convened a meeting between me and the rest of other extended family members including the police officers incharge of Children and Family Protection. I explained all that was going on between me and my brother in law. He was ordered to stop all violences and insults he was throwing towards me. All that he had taken forcefully were returned to me including some herds of cattle he had hidden from my knowledge that my late husband had bought a day before his death.
He was quoted as saying ,”this organization [Ignite Change] is very serious on issues regarding the women, widows and orphans, no one who disturbs these people escapes the hands of the law.”
I thank Ignite Change for coming to my rescue, their name alone now stands as a big shield for me, they helped me discover things I previously did not know. I am happy now leaving without oppression from my late husband’s family, all that was taken from me were returned. I now pray that the organization grows even bigger. They have become fathers to the fatherless, and husband to the oppressed widows may God bless them abundantly.