Girl Power rewards man for mother-father role
Jan 15, 2008
FOR Augustine Aisu, an agricultural officer with Balton Uganda, the long illness and death of his wife was a major blow and also turning point in his life last year.
By Flavia Nakagwa
FOR Augustine Aisu, an agricultural officer with Balton Uganda, the long illness and death of his wife was a major blow and also turning point in his life last year.
His wife, Irene Aisu, succumbed to a liver problem known as Primary Billary Cirrhosis on February 28, at a time when he had decided to fundraise for her medical bills through the media.
Primary Billary Cirrhosis is a chronic, slowly-progressive cholestatic liver disease caused by an abnormality in the immune system.
“My wife was diagnosed with hepatitis when she was expecting our second child and after he was born she was also diagnosed with a liver problem. Because of her condition, our son who is now four years was born with a heart problem. Up to now, being a single father is not easy, but I am not giving up and I am not intending to re-marry,†Aisu said.
In an achievement that has inspired the admiration of parenthood, Aisu decided to confront the hardship, worries and joys in playing both father and mother roles to his 15 and four year old sons.
Among several inspiring stories, Aisu was last Friday awarded a $1000 cash prize on top of his accolade from Girl power ministries for excelling in his parenting role during and after his wife’s demise.
Girl Power is a Christian women’s interdenominational organisation that was established with a vision to equip women and help them achieve their God-given destinies. The award is meant to shed light on persons who make good role models through their contributions to society.
Aisu is the first man to receive the award.
“My late wife’s condition required a lot of money. It intensified at a time when our income was so low, but I decided to love my wife and children despite the meager earnings. I had to learn to do all parenting roles in very painful moments and I don’t regret any of it.â€
Addressing a mammoth gathering of women dressed in lime green and yellow, the theme colours for the 9th international girl power conference at Rubaga Miracle centre, Pastor Jessica Kayanja, also the founder of Girl power Ministries, said: “Because of all that Aisu has done to improve life for his children. he is a true role model! He is a fighter! He has revealed a lot of potential that men have as parents and many other people who know him can testify to it.â€
While handing over the award to Aisu, Dr. Margaret Bukenya, the wife to Vice president Gilbert Bukenya commended Girl power for supporting vulnerable people.
“Augustine, what you are going through is not easy, but we thank God for all that he is doing in your life. And may he strengthen you,†she said.
“The greatest investment you can make for yourself is to acquire more knowledge. It’s wonderful to love people, invest your energy and potential to also love yourself. Don’t become too busy and lose the desire to work and live with people in harmony,†Kayanja advised.
At the same function Prof. Fredrick Ssempebwa, the father to Jessica Kayanja, launched her book, Power of Love.
“This book affects women’s rights and empowerment. Issues of women’s rights have been very dear to me, I urge all of you all to take your rights seriously,†Ssempebwa advised.
In a dramatic auction several people bought the first six copies of her book between sh900,000 to sh2.1m . A delegation of members of parliament from Rwanda and pastors from the United Kingdom also attended the conference.
FOR Augustine Aisu, an agricultural officer with Balton Uganda, the long illness and death of his wife was a major blow and also turning point in his life last year.
His wife, Irene Aisu, succumbed to a liver problem known as Primary Billary Cirrhosis on February 28, at a time when he had decided to fundraise for her medical bills through the media.
Primary Billary Cirrhosis is a chronic, slowly-progressive cholestatic liver disease caused by an abnormality in the immune system.
“My wife was diagnosed with hepatitis when she was expecting our second child and after he was born she was also diagnosed with a liver problem. Because of her condition, our son who is now four years was born with a heart problem. Up to now, being a single father is not easy, but I am not giving up and I am not intending to re-marry,†Aisu said.
In an achievement that has inspired the admiration of parenthood, Aisu decided to confront the hardship, worries and joys in playing both father and mother roles to his 15 and four year old sons.
Among several inspiring stories, Aisu was last Friday awarded a $1000 cash prize on top of his accolade from Girl power ministries for excelling in his parenting role during and after his wife’s demise.
Girl Power is a Christian women’s interdenominational organisation that was established with a vision to equip women and help them achieve their God-given destinies. The award is meant to shed light on persons who make good role models through their contributions to society.
Aisu is the first man to receive the award.
“My late wife’s condition required a lot of money. It intensified at a time when our income was so low, but I decided to love my wife and children despite the meager earnings. I had to learn to do all parenting roles in very painful moments and I don’t regret any of it.â€
Addressing a mammoth gathering of women dressed in lime green and yellow, the theme colours for the 9th international girl power conference at Rubaga Miracle centre, Pastor Jessica Kayanja, also the founder of Girl power Ministries, said: “Because of all that Aisu has done to improve life for his children. he is a true role model! He is a fighter! He has revealed a lot of potential that men have as parents and many other people who know him can testify to it.â€
While handing over the award to Aisu, Dr. Margaret Bukenya, the wife to Vice president Gilbert Bukenya commended Girl power for supporting vulnerable people.
“Augustine, what you are going through is not easy, but we thank God for all that he is doing in your life. And may he strengthen you,†she said.
“The greatest investment you can make for yourself is to acquire more knowledge. It’s wonderful to love people, invest your energy and potential to also love yourself. Don’t become too busy and lose the desire to work and live with people in harmony,†Kayanja advised.
At the same function Prof. Fredrick Ssempebwa, the father to Jessica Kayanja, launched her book, Power of Love.
“This book affects women’s rights and empowerment. Issues of women’s rights have been very dear to me, I urge all of you all to take your rights seriously,†Ssempebwa advised.
In a dramatic auction several people bought the first six copies of her book between sh900,000 to sh2.1m . A delegation of members of parliament from Rwanda and pastors from the United Kingdom also attended the conference.