A Sigh of Relief for Ugandan Women

We all know about the tragedies going on in many of the war-torn countries in Africa. Maybe because the atrocities are too much for us to bear, or maybe because some just simply can’t be bothered with other peoples problems, most of us are not likely to get involved. I like to think it’s not because we just don’t care, but instead because the issues are so overwhelming, and as is often the case, it’s simply easier to remain blissfully ignorant intentionally. And, if you do want to do something, where do you start?

Jolly Bugari found her own answer to that question. Moving to California with her then-husband, Bugari left Uganda to escape the inner turmoil her country was facing. Eventually her marriage ended and she was left raising three children by herself, but her new-found freedom from a domineering husband provided her with the opportunity to return to school.

After watching countless loved ones die from HIV in her homeland of Uganda and experiencing the repressive nature of a patriarchal society, Jolly decided she had to do something to help those back in her homeland and focused her studies on community health education. After receiving her degree, the idea of OTYO! (which means “a sigh of relief”) was born and she began a 3-year Masters in Public Health program that would better enable her to realize her dreams of helping those most in need in Uganda.

Though Bugari realized that the problems in Uganda are widespread, she narrowed down her efforts to focus on women, whom she felt needed the most help because “women take care of everyone, have nothing, and are highly overlooked.” The mission of OTYO! is “to improve the quality of life and health of women, adolescents and orphans of rural Uganda by providing financial and technical support to community based organizations working with these populations.”

Needless to say, her efforts are full of challenges. The cultural attitudes towards women in Africa and their lower status lead to fewer opportunities to exercise their independence. This in turn makes them more vulnerable to diseases such as HIV, as they are  dominated by the men who spread the disease and have few options once acquiring it. Bugari has also found that getting attention and resources has been more difficult  in comparison to high profile more developed areas with large populations.

In the face of so many hurdles, not to mention Jolly’s own life challenges, I asked her what keeps her going when everything and everyone tells you to quit. Her reply: “This is where I come from, this is where my family is. I recognize the obligation I have to use the advantages of the resources I have gained through public health education to help these people.”

When I reflect on Jolly’s story — how she came to America at 19, the young wife of an oppressive husband who eventually left her with three children — I think of how hard it must have been just to get by, not just financially but emotionally. And yet, she did more than just get by. Freed from the shackles of a marriage and society that suppressed who she was and was capable of being, Jolly realized her potential and pursued her dreams. For that, she is extraordinary.