With a heart full of gratitude and a smile that radiated joy, 60-year-old Petronille Mukandora, a Rwandese refugee, was honoured with the Refugee Woman of the Year Award by the Finnish Refugee Council.
The recognition came as a tribute to her remarkable work at Nakivale Refugee Settlement, where she has transformed the lives of women raising children with disabilities. Through her tireless efforts, Petronille has empowered these women with vital skills to help support their families, offering them practical aid and hope.
Petronille’s journey is one of resilience and compassion. Over the years, she has received numerous accolades from prestigious organizations, including the World Food Programme and the Finnish Refugee Council. Her humanitarian work has even caught the attention of Princess Anne of Britain, who personally recognized her contributions.
Yet, for Petronille, the true measure of success lies in her courage and dedication to uplift mothers caring for children with disabilities, giving them the tools and confidence to build better futures. At Nakivale, Petronille is seen as a beacon of hope. Through her community-based organization, Wenzentu, she provides vital support to mothers and caretakers, offering physiotherapy sessions for children living with disabilities.
These sessions have led to physical improvements for the children and restored the dignity and hope of families who once felt isolated. For the many women whose lives she has touched, Petronille’s unwavering commitment has become a lifeline, reminding them that they are not alone in their journey.
HOW SHE STARTED
Petronille Mukandora’s journey into supporting children with disabilities began in 2020, when she gave birth to her own child with a disability. What she thought would be a personal challenge soon became a powerful mission.
As she began advocating for mothers of children with disabilities, she uncovered the heartbreaking realities many face—young girls with disabilities are often victims of sexual abuse, and mothers are frequently abandoned by their husbands, left to care for their children alone.
“The whole idea of taking care of children living with disabilities began when I had my child,” Petronille shared, reflecting on her experiences. “I would see how people discriminated against me and my child, whether it was in the taxi, or anywhere I went. The stigma followed us wherever we were.”
Determined not to let this treatment define her or her child, Petronille took action. She joined forces with four other parents in the Nakivale refugee settlement, creating a small but powerful group.
“When we started helping the families with children living with disabilities, there were about five of us who came together,” she explained. “We started activities of psycho-social education, counselling each other. Over time, we were able to reach out to over 150 families, empowering them with skills and teaching them how to care for their disabled children.”
What began as a small support group has blossomed into a life-changing initiative, touching the lives of hundreds of families. Petronille’s vision, born from personal pain, has given hope to many who once felt isolated, proving that together, they can overcome both societal stigma and the challenges of raising children with disabilities.
Petronille’s story is one of resilience and hope amid the challenges of life in the Nakivale Refugee Settlement. Through her dedicated efforts, she has reached out to over 150 families, many of whom have children facing disabilities ranging from physical and mental challenges to sight and hearing impairments.
While she acknowledges the progress made by her community-based organization, Wenzentu, she also highlights a troubling reality.
“After a mother gives birth to a child with disabilities, there is often a tendency for the father to abandon the family,” Petronille explains.
“This not only creates emotional distress but also leaves the family in a precarious financial situation.”
To address this gap, Petronille and her organization have focused on empowering these mothers with vital skills to support their families.
“We looked for ways to help these women who have been left behind,” she asserts. “By equipping them with skills, we enable them to earn a living.”
At Wenzentu, Petronille teaches mothers to create handcrafts that they can sell for income. She has also supported them in establishing small businesses, such as vegetable grocery stalls and poultry pens.
“These initiatives have become a vital source of income for many of these women,” she shares.
In addition to skill development, Petronille emphasizes the importance of financial literacy. “We encourage mothers to participate in saving schemes where they can set aside the money they earn,” she adds.
Her commitment to uplifting these families is not just about immediate survival; it’s about fostering long-term resilience and independence in the face of adversity. Petronille’s mission to uplift women in the Nakivale Refugee settlement takes on new dimensions as she empowers them with essential skills.
Among these skills is crafting, where she trains women not only to create beautiful handmade products but also to navigate modern payment systems such as mobile money.
“We want them to be able to receive payments easily for their crafts,” she explains.
Moreover, Petronille encourages these women to embrace digital marketing, teaching them to showcase their handcrafted items on social media platforms.
“This way, they can reach a broader audience and attract customers interested in their unique creations,” she adds.
In her pursuit of helping women with children who have disabilities, Petron- ille has garnered support from various organizations, including the Finnish Refugee Council (FRC), the World Food Programme, and the Transcultural Psychosocial Organization Uganda.
“These partnerships have opened doors for us that we could never have accessed alone, expanding our reach and the visibility of the products these women create,” she emphasizes.
However, her journey is not without challenges. Petronille shares that many refugee women with disabled children are hesitant to engage with the training offered by Wenzentu.
“We see mothers shy away from our sessions, particularly the physiotherapy training available for their children,” she laments. “Mothers often feel discouraged and lack hope, thinking they cannot come together to create something productive for themselves.”
She continues, “Mobilizing these women has been a challenge, as many do not understand the benefits of participating in our programs. It’s disheartening, but we keep pushing forward, believing in the change we can create.”
Petronille’s determination shines through as she navigates these obstacles, ever hopeful that her efforts will inspire greater participation and empowerment within her community.
HOW SHE OVERCAME CHALLENGES
Petronille’s journey to empower mothers in the Nakivale Refugee settlement has been bolstered by the unwavering support of organizations like TPO and the Finnish Refugee Council.
“They have been instrumental in mobilizing and referring women with disabled children to us,” she shares.
This collaboration has allowed her to continue her vital work, providing knowledge and skills to mothers in need. Among the many success stories that Petronille proudly recounts is that of Amina. Abandoned by her husband after giving birth to a child with disabilities, Amina was left feeling isolated and vulnerable.
“She faced harassment and despair,” Petronille recalls. “But when she joined our group, everything changed. After going through our training, Amina became an independent woman who now contributes to her community by training other women.”
Petronille beams with pride, seeing Amina’s transformation as a testament to their mission. Another inspiring story is that of Lois Abeya, a fellow refugee from Congo. When Petronille’s team first met Lois in 2021, she was overwhelmed by the constant care her disabled daughter required. Feeling hopeless, Lois often left her child unattended.
“It took months of gentle encouragement for Lois to trust us,” Petronille notes.
The turning point came during Wenzentu’s physiotherapy sessions.
“When Lois saw her daughter start to walk and become more independent, it was like a light bulb went off for her,” Petronille explains.
For the first time, Lois envisioned a future for her child—one filled with school and social opportunities. Today, Lois’s daughter is thriving, and their bond has deepened in ways Lois never imagined possible. Petronille’s heart swells with joy as she reflects on these stories.
“These women remind us that with support and empowerment, change is not only possible—it’s happening right here in Nakivale.”
ACHIEVEMENTS
Speaking to The Observer, Petronille beams with pride as she reflects on her achievements. In 2023, she received the Female Champion Award from the World Food Program for her significant contributions to the Nakivale Refugee Community.
“Winning this award felt like a milestone for me,” she says, her eyes sparkling.
“It gave me the courage to approach more women, encouraging them to join our organization and equipping them with essential skills. It’s something I will always cherish.”
Petronille’s efforts have also garnered international attention. She recalls a special moment when Princess Anne of Britain visited Wenzentu.
“Being recognized by her made me feel like our work in helping children with disabilities is being acknowledged globally,” she shares. “It led to our craft pieces being displayed in the Museum of London.”
The exposure from international media outlets like CNN, BBC, and Voice of America has further fueled her passion.
“My story, along with the stories of the mothers I help, taught me that you can achieve anything in life if you put your heart into it,” Petronille reflects.
Looking ahead, Petronille has ambitious plans. She aims to create greater awareness to help mothers of children with disabilities overcome loneliness and intends to reach out to other refugee settlements to empower more women with vital skills.
“We also see ourselves advocating for the rights of these women and children, fighting against issues like sexual abuse and ensuring their rights are respected,” she adds resolutely.
Her dream is to grow Wenzentu into a specialized hospital where disabled children can receive professional care. Petronille envisions a future where she can reach more women, mothers, and caretakers—anyone who feels isolated or without support. She hopes to share the beautiful crafts made by the women of Wenzentu with the world, showcasing their talents and unique stories.
This year, Petronille’s incredible work was further recognized by the Finnish Refugee Council, which honoured her with the Refugee Woman of the Year title, celebrating the resilience and contributions of refugee women in Uganda.
Her journey stands as a testament to what one person can achieve with determination, compassion, and a heart full of love. Petronille Mukandora’s story is not merely a tale of survival; it is one of transformation—a woman who turned her pain into purpose and, in doing so, changed the lives of countless others.