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My name is Ann Kipsang, a native Kenyan currently living and working in Uganda. I hold the position of Head of the Quality and Safety Department for a local airline, a role that allows me to travel extensively throughout Uganda, by air and road. During my travels, I visit numerous small villages across the country, where I often encounter individuals facing severe hardship. My visits to these remote areas, particularly those with airfields or airports, have opened my eyes to the dire challenges faced by single mothers and orphaned children. These challenges are not just limited to poverty but are compounded by deeply ingrained cultural and systemic issues that continue to put lives at risk.
As I traveled, I noticed the many single mothers who struggle daily with poverty, inadequate shelter, lack of healthcare, and a complete absence of support systems. In many of the villages I visited, I saw women who, once pregnant, were discarded by their families or spouses because of the prevailing cultural belief that women should not own property or pregnancy outside wedlock and other reasons. As a result, many pregnant women are forced to live on the streets or in unsafe conditions. Without the protection of a stable home, these women and their children face numerous risks, including exposure to malaria and other preventable diseases. I was particularly disturbed to learn that many of these mothers could not afford prenatal care or even proper healthcare for their newborns, leading to a distressingly high rate of infant and maternal deaths. According to recent statistics from the Uganda Ministry of Health, maternal mortality in Uganda remains at 336 deaths per 100,000 live births, and infant mortality is similarly high due to lack of timely medical intervention and the impact of diseases like malaria.
Ann Kipsang
Founder, Auxilium Mother & Child Foundation
I could not ignore the suffering around me, and the more I learned, the more I realized that I needed to do something. But starting a meaningful intervention on my own seemed overwhelming. Despite my initial inability to help immediately, I was determined to make a difference. As I continued with my work, I began to speak out about the pressing issues I had witnessed, and fortunately, some individuals and companies offered to assist me. Their support allowed me to take small but significant steps toward alleviating the suffering of these women and children.
Through this journey, I was introduced to a greater need for support systems. Many single mothers were without the means to care for themselves or their children because of a lack of education and vocational skills. They were unable to generate income to provide food, healthcare, or shelter for their families. This led me to the realization that the best way to help these mothers would be to provide them with the tools and resources necessary for self-sufficiency.
In response to this growing need, I founded the Auxilium Mother & Child Foundation (AMCF). The goal of AMCF is to empower single mothers in Uganda by addressing their most urgent needs—food security, healthcare, education, and vocational training. We aim to create a supportive environment where these women can find safety, gain skills, and become financially independent. However, I quickly realized that the scope of this initiative is far too vast for me to manage alone. While the foundation has begun with a small group of dedicated volunteers, the demand for assistance continues to grow.
I could not ignore the suffering around me, and the more I learned, the more I realized that I needed to do something.
The need for expansion is urgent. To better serve these mothers, I envision expanding the foundation by renting office space and establishing a bakery and sewing shop. These would not only serve as vocational training centers but also as income-generating ventures that could help provide a steady income for single mothers. By offering short-term training in these fields, we can equip these women with valuable skills, allowing them to support themselves and their families. The bakery and sewing shop would also become a place where these women could find a sense of community and purpose, as they work together to learn and grow.
Moreover, AMCF’s efforts to provide shelter, food security, and health education will also be amplified by strategic partnerships with other organizations. Through collaborations with local health initiatives and NGOs, we will aim to address the critical health concerns that these mothers face, particularly the alarming rates of maternal and infant mortality caused by untreated conditions and diseases like malaria.
As I reflect on the journey so far, I am both inspired and humbled by the resilience of the single mothers I have encountered. Their strength and determination, despite overwhelming challenges, have driven me to work harder to ensure that they have the support they deserve. But I know that I cannot do this alone.
I am seeking support from individuals and organizations who believe in the transformative power of education and vocational training. By expanding AMCF and launching initiatives such as the bakery and sewing shop, we can provide these mothers with the resources they need to change their lives and the lives of their children. Together, we can give them a chance to break the cycle of poverty and build a better future for their families.
The road ahead will not be easy, but I am determined to make a lasting difference. I invite you to join me in this mission, to support these incredible women and children, and to contribute to a cause that will have a profound and lasting impact on Uganda’s most vulnerable populations.
Thank you for considering this opportunity to be part of something meaningful.