Mary is a widow and grandmother who has lost most of her children, leaving her as the only caregiver for her grandchildren. They live in the town of Bangula.
We first met Mary and her family living under the shade of a mango tree after they had been chased from their home in a nearby village. There was a land dispute, and Mary, vulnerable without a defense, lost the case leaving her and her sick daughter and grandchildren stranded.

One of our pastors found them and was moved by their poverty and desperate condition. At that time Mary was caring for her 21 year old daughter who was very sick, as well as caring for her six grandchildren. Her daughter passed away soon afterwards.
We immediately gave them food, clothes and rented a house for them to live in.
Mary is a very humble and soft spoken woman who really cares for her grandchildren. Together with her last remaining daughter (19 years old), they do their best to raise the children.
Sadly, a couple of months ago, one of the granddaughters died of meningitis. We took them to the hospital as quickly as possible but the sickness overcame her. Five grandchildren remain who range in age from 2 years to 12 years old.
The family joins us every Sunday for church here at the Iris base and the children attend our weekly children’s program. Mary has a small garden beside her house, trying her best to grow some vegetables, and she also has a small field where she hopes the rain will be enough this year to support sorghum.