02/10/2026
TEOPISTA’S STORY: From homeless single mom to thriving business owner…
At 28 years old, Nansuubuko Teopista and her two children were abandoned by her husband. She had no source of income and nowhere to live, so she begged her mother to allow her to move back home. To try to start making some money to feed and support her children, Teopista helped people prepare their land and started a small kiosk selling vegetables.
One of Teopista's neighbors was a member of a HEED savings group and invited Teopista to join. She saw hope for her children so she joined, saved, and after three months borrowed money to send her children to school.
"I couldn't believe that my children were to join school, paid for by myself", Teopista said.
After paying back the initial loan, Teopista was able to take another and turned her vegetable kiosk into a shop in a busy area where all of her vegetables sold and her shop became one of the most visited shops. She was able to repay her loan within a month. Teopista took a third loan and added a mobile money business to her shop. Within a year, her life was transformed.
"My children are in school- zero fees balance. My mobile money business is doing well and my shop is booming. I began serious saving. They money I would save increased, and helped with groceries. From the money I received at the end of the year's savings, I managed to buy my own land. I am now planning to build my own house, and my boys will have a home. I am in a safe place where no one will ever ask them to leave. I thank HEED, all the teachers and every project they bring to us. Every guidance and teaching we receive has saved us. I remember what I used to tolerate in my marriage, to a point of accepting defeat. I wish I knew I could sustain myself like I am. In a year, from a failure to a land owner, shop owner, mobile money agent, and a providing single mom. My children are in school. I am convinced, life may get tough, but only God knows our end, and how our life will turn out. It's only Him who knows our future- Jeremiah 29:11". -Nansuubuko Teopista
