Mwanza’s First Client: Then and Now
Devotha pictured with her son and adopted daughter.
Devotha describes her first encounter with Untold as “divine intervention.” The now 42-year-old mother of two lay on her death bed in the backroom of a local church when she first came to know Regional Coordinator, Sayuni. Although Untold had not been established in Mwanza at that point, Sayuni was scouting potential churches in the region for Untold’s inaugural launch.
Concerned for Devotha’s well-being, the pastor and church members were sure that she was nearing her end and wanted her to be close to others. Her community had essentially abandoned her and her son, leaving them to feel like “pariahs” among people who once cared about them. She was emaciated, barely conscious, and spent days in the same clothes.
"The pastors and congregation feared for her life if she remained in her mud-thatched house with her son,” Sayuni explained. “They were worried that by the time they discovered her, it might have been too late, leaving her son to suffer while caring for her.” Consequently, Untold enrolled her as their first client, even before finalizing the establishment of the center.
Devotha didn’t hesitate to receive the support. “I knew that with their assistance, I could improve my health, engage in activities, and acquire new skills,” she said. “Having grown up in poverty without formal education, entrepreneurship was my only pathway forward. Untold represented my sole chance to not only learn but also to provide for my son and me.”
The consistent prayers and visits from Untold staff uplifted Devotha emotionally and spiritually. The hours they spent sharing scriptures and having dinner alongside her gave her the resolve to keep fighting. "Their love surpassed any I had experienced from my community or family," she said.
Throughout
the program, Devotha developed a talent for sandal-making, batik, and soap production. Today, she runs a successful business selling these products not only in Mwanza, but also in neighboring towns and across the border in Uganda.
"I started small and reinvested profits to expand the business. Within five years of graduating from the program, I achieved full financial independence. Untold recognized my potential and invited me to teach these skills to clients across different centers. I felt honored to train individuals in Uganda. Thanks to these skills, I can provide for all my son's needs, including his education. We've come a long way from struggling to afford basic necessities,” she said.
Her life now looks much different than what felt like a certain death in the backroom walls of that church. Recently, Devotha built a partially constructed house with three rooms and plans to add five more. Her children, one son and one adopted daughter from Uganda, reap the benefits of her abundance. Yet, she wants to continue to share her success with others. “I hope that this home will be a place of refuge for people. Even Untold friends and partners can come here and see what God can do in your life," Devotha said.
Devotha posing with Untold Center Counselor, Elizabeth.
"I am living proof of Untold's impact. Untold embraced me at my lowest, restoring hope when everyone else had given up. They showed me that HIV is not the end; it's merely a new beginning. Their belief in me fuels my determination to help others. I will continue spreading the message of hope and resilience until my last breath," she said with unwavering confidence.