When Lalam Joyce, a 36‑year‑old mother of five, was abandoned by her husband, Franco Obita, her world collapsed. The business she had built was gone, her finances drained, and the emotional pain was unbearable. In her despair, Joyce contemplated walking away from her children—and even ending her life. The bottom had truly fallen out.
Like many vulnerable women in the refugee resettlement, Joyce was referred to WORUDET’s paralegal team for support. She met Aidha, one of WORUDET’s trained paralegals, whose compassion and guidance became a turning point. Aidha listened, counseled, and later reached out to Joyce’s husband, initiating a mediation session that would change everything.
During their conversation, Aidha shared insights on human rights and the rights of children, helping both Joyce and Franco reflect deeply on their responsibilities and the consequences of their actions. What followed was a moment of reconciliation—an agreement to rebuild their family and restore peace. Together, they began farming again and returned to church, slowly rekindling hope and stability.
Through Aidha’s intervention, WORUDET provided not only practical assistance but also emotional healing and empowerment. Joyce found strength in the process and, inspired by her own transformation, began helping others. She has since supported five couples in her community to overcome domestic violence and rebuild their relationships.
Her story is a testament to the ripple effect of compassion and dialogue. As the African proverb says, “When you heal a woman, you heal a community.” WORUDET’s family reconciliation and empowerment efforts thrive on stories like Joyce’s—proof that when one woman rises, she lifts many others with her.
