STORY OF SARA
Publication date: 21 september 2026
Written by:
Gloria Oswald Rwegoshora
Supporting Sarah and Her Family
Sarah Mathias is a secondary school student from Bujora. She lives with her mother, who has been seriously ill for more than twelve years.
Her mother’s health condition makes it difficult for her to work and earn an income. At the same time, she needs money for her own medical care. This has left the family struggling to afford basic necessities, including enough food.
Sarah’s mother has faced much of this responsibility alone. After she became ill, her husband left the family. Despite her condition, she has had to care for and raise four children while living with the uncertainty that comes with a long-term illness.
Her mother’s health condition makes it difficult for her to work and earn an income. At the same time, she needs money for her own medical care. This has left the family struggling to afford basic necessities, including enough food.
Sarah’s mother has faced much of this responsibility alone. After she became ill, her husband left the family. Despite her condition, she has had to care for and raise four children while living with the uncertainty that comes with a long-term illness.
Staying close to the family
Through the SHEHA project, SHEEO has been supporting Sarah with her education. But our relationship with the family goes beyond school.
We regularly visit Sarah and her mother at home to understand how they are doing, what challenges they are facing and how their needs are changing. These visits allow us to stay connected to the family rather than only responding when a crisis occurs.
During our visit on September 14, our team brought food and other basic necessities, including maize, rice, beans, cooking oil, salt, sugar, cassava and small fish.
For Sarah’s mother, this support provides more than food for the family. She explained that whenever food supplies reach their home, she feels some of the pressure of providing the family’s daily meals being lifted. It also means that the little money she has can instead be saved for her medical needs.
We regularly visit Sarah and her mother at home to understand how they are doing, what challenges they are facing and how their needs are changing. These visits allow us to stay connected to the family rather than only responding when a crisis occurs.
During our visit on September 14, our team brought food and other basic necessities, including maize, rice, beans, cooking oil, salt, sugar, cassava and small fish.
For Sarah’s mother, this support provides more than food for the family. She explained that whenever food supplies reach their home, she feels some of the pressure of providing the family’s daily meals being lifted. It also means that the little money she has can instead be saved for her medical needs.
More than providing supplies
Our visits are also about being present.
We spend time with Sarah and her mother, listen to what they are going through and offer encouragement. Sarah’s mother told us that knowing people continue to check on her gives her a sense of care and hope.
Her situation has not suddenly changed. Her illness remains, and the family continues to face financial challenges. But regular support can make those challenges a little easier to carry.
For SHEEO, supporting girls like Sarah means looking beyond the classroom. A girl’s ability to continue her education is closely connected to what is happening at home.
By staying close to Sarah and her family, we can continue supporting her education while also helping create a more stable environment in which she can learn, grow and work toward her future.
We spend time with Sarah and her mother, listen to what they are going through and offer encouragement. Sarah’s mother told us that knowing people continue to check on her gives her a sense of care and hope.
Her situation has not suddenly changed. Her illness remains, and the family continues to face financial challenges. But regular support can make those challenges a little easier to carry.
For SHEEO, supporting girls like Sarah means looking beyond the classroom. A girl’s ability to continue her education is closely connected to what is happening at home.
By staying close to Sarah and her family, we can continue supporting her education while also helping create a more stable environment in which she can learn, grow and work toward her future.
