“My name is Princess Shimapande, and I come from Shambana village in Mumbwa District. Before the REPSSI programs, I often worried about how to make money and, most importantly, how to care for my child. Through the REPSSI intervention programs, I’ve learned that as a caregiver, I should be industrious. Previously, I wasn’t doing anything productive, but I started a small garden and joined the Self Help Group programs. As a result, I’ve noticed a significant reduction in my stress levels.

In our community, health workers from the Nangoma health facility regularly visit to check our children’s health and educate us on how to respond to any health issues they find. After learning about the REPSSI intervention program on mental health, I began sharing what I learned with my husband. This has brought peace to our home, and he has started helping me save money for our weekly contributions to the Self Help Group. This has also helped reduce my stress.

There was a time when I felt overwhelmed by caregiving responsibilities. I sought advice from a friend, who encouraged me not to depend solely on my husband but to find ways to support my child myself. Since starting the intervention program, I’ve seen many positive changes in my life. I’ve applied what I’ve learned, and now I stress less about the challenges I face. When I feel overwhelmed, I talk to my mother-in-law, who offers me wise advice and helps me stay positive. Her guidance, as an elder, has been invaluable in reducing my stress. As a beneficiary of the ‘Happy Mother, Healthy Baby’ project, I’ve learned that working as a caregiver helps reduce stress. I believe this Self Help Group should continue and expand to include other young mothers who haven’t yet been reached, so they can also benefit as we have.

In my life, I want to see my business grow and my child to be well-behaved. Achieving these goals would alleviate much of my stress, knowing my child is doing well. I just want to say thank you for this program because it has taught me how to handle the various problems I face.”