Angella Marjorie Atuhurra
Hello, my name is Angella Marjorie Atuhurra and I am the Founder of the Gejja Women Foundation.
I was born to two school-going children; my father was 16 years old and my mother was 14 years old at the time. My father wanted my mother to have an abortion since they were both young but my mother carried the pregnancy till my birth. The society and the community in which I grew up always called me names ranging from a bastard, a failure, to a child who would never progress in life. I grew up without parental love and hated myself [for a long time]. This caused me emotional and psychological torture but my pain, childhood tortures and challenges are now my sweet successes for today.
At the age of 14, I myself was on the verge of being sent away for early marriage even before I had even started my period. At age 20, I gave birth to my daughter and this drove me to run away from home to Mpigi (Uganda). At the Social Innovation Academy and in the communities, I found out that I was not actually the only one facing what I went through growing up, but most other girls and women go through hectic lifestyles to cope on a day-to-day basis.
This is what inspired me to found the Gejja Women Foundation (Gejja meaning ‘grow big’) in order to synergize the different potentials and strengths of women and girls around Uganda. Together with the Gejja team, I have created awareness about the rights of women and girls and I am transforming them into strong and independent women.
Organization Name: Gejja Women Foundation
Location: Mpigi, Uganda
Operating since: 2016
Organization Website: www.gejja.org
Instagram & Twitter: @gejjawomenfoundation
Tell us all about your organization. What services do you offer?
We envision a generation of well-educated, economically independent and self-determined women and girls, who are in control over their own time, body and life and stand up for their rights. We aim to holistically empower marginalized women and girls in rural Uganda through business development, educational support, training in sexual and reproductive health and gender mainstreaming.
Who are your co-founders?
Nakayemba Catherine - Head Of Production;
Klara Giesler - Marketing & Connections;
Lillian Namatovu - Women Start-Up Coordinator;
Raynard Ndagire - Menstrual Campaign Coordinator; and
Sophia Lücke - Volunteer Recruiter & IR.
How did you get the idea or concept for your organization? What was your mission at the outset? Was there anything in particular that inspired you to start at the time you did?
Being born by two school-going children meant growing up without parental love, which complicated my life until in the old age… thus to having my daughter at the age of 20. Sharing stories and experiences with the women [in the communities], made me realize that as a woman, I needed to do something about the living standards of girls, especially those that become pregnant while in school. My goal then was to target teenage mothers to send them back to school and also to help them start their own small scale businesses.
Growing up, did you always intend to start your own organization?
Actually growing up I did not intend to start my own organization. Rather, I intended to work in the legal system to help fight for women's rights. Though I have not taken that path, I am still happy that I can offer my service to the girls and rural women of Uganda, and maybe, the world at large.
Have your past personal & professional experiences helped you to run your organization?
Yes, they have greatly helped me. For example, growing up with my grandmother - she was a primary school teacher and a great craftswoman. She taught me a lot about making crafts and during my first year with the Gejja women, we were making crafts that we would sell to raise money for our families, and this was the basis for the structuring of the Gejja Women Foundation.
What is the biggest obstacle you've had to overcome?
The biggest professional obstacle that I have had to overcome is being a leader to even those who are older than me, especially dealing with men who wish to have their girls rushed into marriage for the financial benefits. Being a young woman, society will always find fault in any way of administration that you choose to have.
What's your definition of success? Do you consider yourself a success? If not, when will you?
Success to me involves peace of the mind, soul, body and surrounding communities. As the Founder and Team Leader of the Gejja Women Foundation, my success comes from a young girl’s joy or a thriving rural woman´s joy to fend for her family, to be educated, learned and empowered. I may not be recognized by the highest organizations or have received funding or grants from various applications made, but when I make sure that four girls at the verge of getting married are back in school, have safe and comfortable menstrual periods, have a better source of income, that's my greatest success.
Have the women around you helped you to rise? How?
Yes, the women around me have greatly helped me to rise. These women under the Gejja Women Foundation especially have been my cornerstone for rising and success, not to fear but to always thrive.
What are some of your future plans? Are you working on anything else right now?
This year our main focus is on the construction of the Women Center in Bulyasi, Mpigi district (Uganda). Since a year ago when we bought our land, we have started our fundraising to help raise funds to construct an administration block and production rooms, especially for the reusable sanitary pads, and the reusable sanitary diapers and other products produced by the Gejja Women.
What advice would you give to a woman starting out in your industry or starting her own company/organization?
Just like Michelle Obama says, “The difference between a broken community and a thriving one, is the presence of a woman who is valued”. As a young woman value yourself, be passionate about what you wish to start because money, fame, and all the others can vanish, but when you have passion, you will always overcome even the hardest hurdles because it’s the love in you to thrive, to prosper, and to see your change in a society.
Describe yourself in ONE word. Thriver
Complete this sentence: "To be a girl or woman today is..." to achieve full and equal plus equity access to all that the world offers without segregation."
If you enjoyed reading about Angella Marjorie Atuhurra and want to follow her personally, you can do so on Instagram.