Prudence Kyomugisha was born with HIV. Her name means “wisdom for looking ahead,” but the disease did not give her a chance to plan for a secure future.

Her mother died of the disease when Prudence was 12, and her father abandoned the family. Alone and weak, Prudence decided to seek help from her Aunt Kyomuhendo, who owned a small restaurant in the Kamwenge District of western Uganda.

Kyomuhendo took Prudence in, but mistreated her because she believed she would die soon. Prudence felt even more sorrow and pain.

Samaritan’s Purse began working in the area in 2005. Prudence met one of our youth educators through our Biblically-based HIV prevention program that mobilizes, equips, and trains young people to make healthy choices.

She was showing strong symptoms of AIDS and her health was quickly deteriorating when our staff met her. We enabled her to get treatment and gave her food to eat.

Samaritan’s Purse staff continued to encourage her and monitor her health. In time, she gained more confidence in herself, shared her HIV status in community meetings, and starting living with a more positive outlook.

Then one evening as she was walking home a man raped her, and she conceived as a result.

“I became very disappointed,” Prudence said. “I didn’t want the child because I was very weak and didn’t have money to look after myself. I told one of the elders in my village, but he didn’t take any action, and my family did not help.”

Prudence became very discouraged. Our staff counseled her to keep the baby, and gave her medications to prevent the child from contracting the virus.

God answered their prayers, the treatment was successful, and Prudence had a healthy baby boy. Our staff then focused on encouraging Prudence with the hope of her eternal Savior, and she committed her life to Jesus Christ.

Samaritans Purse not only helped save the lives of Prudence and her child, but also constructed a house for them and helped Prudence establish a small business.

Prudence’s life has drastically changed. Now, at 22 years old, she is extremely happy and much more healthy. She is renting out two rooms from her home and has set up a food shop to earn money to provide for her child and to access HIV treatment.

“Samaritans Purse saw me from afar,” she said. “I was about to die, but now I feel happy and I am able to get milk for my baby.”

Prudence acknowledges that God has kept her alive. She still experiences pain but is confident about one thing—God knows her and He is taking good care of her.
She does not have to worry anymore.

Please pray for Prudence’s health to continue to improve and for her also to be a witness of Jesus to others in her community.

Samaritan's Purse , Uganda , Prescription for Hope , Wisdom For the Future