Widowed but not crushed: Akello has found hope in brick-making
Feb 17, 2009
WHEN she lost her husband in 1989, Lydia Akello, a resident of Matimiamot, Atik parish, Apac sub-county in Apac district, had no option but to work hard to take care of her family and earn a better living and future.
Every year, in commemoration of International Women’s Day Every, The New Vision seeks to recognise women, who have made a positive impact on their communities and their efforts often go unnoticed. Starting Tuesday, February 17 through to March 8, we will publish stories about this year’s nominees for The Women Achiever’s Award 2009.
By Patrick Opio
WHEN she lost her husband in 1989, Lydia Akello, a resident of Matimiamot, Atik parish, Apac sub-county in Apac district, had no option but to work hard to take care of her family and earn a better living and future.
Her husband, Dickson Okullu, a peasant died, leaving Akello with three children. “I had to plan and start making bricks for sale in Apac town and others in the sub-county,†Akello says.
Since 1989, Akello has been reaping big from the brick-making business, earning about sh2m per year. Bricks are sold from between sh70 to sh100 each. She also grows citrus fruits. “During harvests, I take the fruits to Kampala and other towns in the region. I realise some good amount of money from the oranges,†Akello says.
To beef up her family income, Akello joined politics as an LC3 councillor for Apac sub-county and is also the chairperson for the production committee.
“The allowances I get from meetings are saved for my children’s education ,†Akello adds.
With some of her savings, Akello started building a seven-roomed commercial house at Owang Trading Centre in 2003. She built the house up to the beam level, secured 45 ironsheets and 54 pieces of timber for the construction. But when her children joined secondary school and later university, Akello sold off the building materials in order to foot the tuition and other fees.
Solomon Odwor is pursuing a bachelor of public administration degree in Gulu University, while her other son, Douglas Odyambo, is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in management science at Kyambogo University. They each pay about sh1.5m per semester.
Her daughter, Eunice Etit, is in Senior Six at Atapara Secondary School.
“I spend more than sh4m a year on my children’s education bills,†she notes. The widow has suspended the construction work on her house until the children complete school.
The children assist their mum in making bricks and in other domestic chores during the holidays. “My children help by collecting water, fuel and other materials. After burning the bricks, I have to move to builders in town searching for market,†she adds.
Akello, who buried her 92-year-old father, Nasuneri Ogwang,14 year ago, also takes care of her 85-year-old mother and four of her late sister’s children.
“I am the only family breadwinner. Sometimes I spend sleepless nights trying to looking for money for my family,†she says.
Challenges
Akello faces the challenge of getting good market for her bricks and fruits. “Sometimes my children go to school late due to lack of money, as we look for market for the bricks,†she says, adding that late payment of fees hampers their academic performance, as they miss lessons while waiting at home.
She has used most of her land for brick-making after selling off about three hectares to foot school dues.
“Unfortunately, the school fees pressure forced me to part with three hectares of family land last year. There was no alternative source of money for school fees. I was cash-strapped,†Akello notes.
Nominate a woman who has overcome adverse
circumstances, but has managed to pick up the pieces and move on to greater heights to rebuild themselves and the community. Send an email to women@newvision.co.ug
By Patrick Opio
WHEN she lost her husband in 1989, Lydia Akello, a resident of Matimiamot, Atik parish, Apac sub-county in Apac district, had no option but to work hard to take care of her family and earn a better living and future.
Her husband, Dickson Okullu, a peasant died, leaving Akello with three children. “I had to plan and start making bricks for sale in Apac town and others in the sub-county,†Akello says.
Since 1989, Akello has been reaping big from the brick-making business, earning about sh2m per year. Bricks are sold from between sh70 to sh100 each. She also grows citrus fruits. “During harvests, I take the fruits to Kampala and other towns in the region. I realise some good amount of money from the oranges,†Akello says.
To beef up her family income, Akello joined politics as an LC3 councillor for Apac sub-county and is also the chairperson for the production committee.
“The allowances I get from meetings are saved for my children’s education ,†Akello adds.
With some of her savings, Akello started building a seven-roomed commercial house at Owang Trading Centre in 2003. She built the house up to the beam level, secured 45 ironsheets and 54 pieces of timber for the construction. But when her children joined secondary school and later university, Akello sold off the building materials in order to foot the tuition and other fees.
Solomon Odwor is pursuing a bachelor of public administration degree in Gulu University, while her other son, Douglas Odyambo, is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in management science at Kyambogo University. They each pay about sh1.5m per semester.
Her daughter, Eunice Etit, is in Senior Six at Atapara Secondary School.
“I spend more than sh4m a year on my children’s education bills,†she notes. The widow has suspended the construction work on her house until the children complete school.
The children assist their mum in making bricks and in other domestic chores during the holidays. “My children help by collecting water, fuel and other materials. After burning the bricks, I have to move to builders in town searching for market,†she adds.
Akello, who buried her 92-year-old father, Nasuneri Ogwang,14 year ago, also takes care of her 85-year-old mother and four of her late sister’s children.
“I am the only family breadwinner. Sometimes I spend sleepless nights trying to looking for money for my family,†she says.
Challenges
Akello faces the challenge of getting good market for her bricks and fruits. “Sometimes my children go to school late due to lack of money, as we look for market for the bricks,†she says, adding that late payment of fees hampers their academic performance, as they miss lessons while waiting at home.
She has used most of her land for brick-making after selling off about three hectares to foot school dues.
“Unfortunately, the school fees pressure forced me to part with three hectares of family land last year. There was no alternative source of money for school fees. I was cash-strapped,†Akello notes.
Nominate a woman who has overcome adverse
circumstances, but has managed to pick up the pieces and move on to greater heights to rebuild themselves and the community. Send an email to women@newvision.co.ug