“My name is Ruth Chilimbila, and I come from Mutebe village in Mumbwa District. Before I joined the REPSSI program, I used to worry a lot. I was solely responsible for taking care of the children, and despite trying many things, nothing seemed to work. This stress often caused my blood pressure to rise. But once I joined the REPSSI intervention program, the numerous challenges I faced started to ease.

One of the biggest changes has been the reduction in my stress levels. After attending the sessions, I talked to my husband about the importance of working together for our child’s wellbeing. Fortunately, he listened. We began to share responsibilities, and the stress I felt has significantly decreased. Our child is doing well, and we now care for them together. My husband used to be irresponsible with finances, but he’s changed for the sake of our children.

Community health workers from Nangoma Hospital visit our village to check on the children’s health. Knowing that our children are healthy brings us peace of mind.

There was a time when I felt overwhelmed by caregiving responsibilities, especially since my husband wasn’t paying attention to our child. But when REPSSI came in, they taught us valuable lessons on mental health. I shared these lessons with my husband, and now we are united. We plan our lives together, and I no longer feel the same level of stress.

Whenever I feel overwhelmed, I talk to my sister-in-law, who helps me navigate through my worries.

The ‘Happy Mother, Healthy Baby’ project has been incredibly beneficial. I hope this group of adolescent young mothers reaches out to others so they can also learn how to care for their children. My husband and I are committed to working together to ensure our children grow up well. The lessons we’ve learned from REPSSI will help us achieve our goals. We want our children to have good jobs in the future and, in turn, to care for us.”