Meet Birungi

While she worked at her mini supermarket, Birungi’s* neighbor kept telling her about opportunities to go abroad and get a better paying job. With that income, her neighbor encouraged, Birungi could expand their mini supermarket. Birungi finally decided she wanted to take the opportunity, and shared the idea with her husband. Both agreed that she would go to India where she was promised work in a supermarket to earn a monthly salary of about 3 million Uganda shillings (UGX). She and her husband used their savings that was used to pay for a visa and an air ticket.   

On arrival to India, Birungi’s expectations and dreams were shattered when she was taken to a strange room in an apartment where she found a number of one-inch mattresses on the floor. For the next month, she along with several other women were sexually exploited by clients of the man who was holding them. Eventually, one woman was able to escape and find the police. Their repatriation to their countries of origin was arranged; Willow facilitated Birungi’s return to Uganda and she was reunited with her children. Her husband had passed away under the stress of his wife’s situation leaving their children with no parents until Birungi’s return. While under Willow’s program, Birungi has been able to access medication, intensive psychosocial support, and financial support. She is receiving capital from Willow which she plans to inject into her boutique for expansion.  

“Through Willow, I have gotten a second chance to live,” says Birungi. 

*pseudonym used