Despite losing her daughter and home in a violent attack, Linda found the strength to rebuild her life. Through the Stronger Women, Stronger Nations program, she is working towards a brighter future. #SheDares to hope for a better tomorrow.
My name is Linda. I am 36 years old, and I come from the Plateau State in Nigeria. I grew up in a family of eight children, raised by parents who worked as farmers. I loved learning, but my education was cut short in senior secondary school because we could not afford the fees. With little opportunity to move forward, I got married at 21, hoping for a better future, but tragedy struck our family in a way that changed our lives forever.
My community was a beehive of activity. The people were peace-loving, with close-knit families, and we lived a contented life.
In November 2022, my village was attacked. I was away in another town buying grains when gunmen stormed our community. My husband and children hid, but my daughter, Hope, was shot as she tried to help lock the door. My husband carried her, trying to escape, but as more attackers approached, he had to run with our sons. By the time they could return, Hope had lost too much blood. We lost her that day.
Our home, which we had spent years building, was burned to the ground. We had no food, no shelter and no possessions left - only the pain of losing our daughter and the struggle of starting over.
The attack shattered our community. The bustling potato market shut down, we no longer met with friends or visited church. I lost the joy I once found in music, dancing and prayer. The grief was overwhelming.
People tell us to be strong, but they cannot know the extent to which that pain and hurt had changed our lives forever.
With the help of our church and friends, we slowly began rebuilding. We returned to our village and worked hard to afford school fees for our children, but the weight of our loss remained heavy. Then, I heard about Women for Women International through a church gathering. I didn’t know if I would be selected, but I kept hope alive. When I was enrolled, it felt like a door to a new beginning had opened.
When I heard about Women for Women International, it strengthened my hope that in the future I can become somebody.
Through the program, I found strength in the shared experiences of my sisters. Their stories and support helped me heal in ways I never expected. I started reconnecting with my community, attending meetings and even listening to music again. Learning about good mental health was my favorite part of the program, and these activities greatly helped with mine.
I made sure to share what I learned with my family, encouraging my children to talk about their feelings and find joy in everyday activities.
The shared experiences with my sisters in the classroom gave me comfort and support that I didn't know I needed.
With the stipend I received, we bought seedlings and fertiliser for our farm. I also joined a savings group, which has helped me grow my income. I chose poultry farming as my Vocational Skill Track, learning everything from selecting quality chicks to feeding, vaccination and proper care. I started small, raising five chicks on my own. I made a profit of ₦35,000, which I reinvested. Now, I have 85 chicks at different stages of growth, and my poultry business is expanding. I also accessed a loan from my Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) and used it to restart my firewood business. With these new sources of income, I can support my family and contribute to rebuilding our home.
The programme has given me the confidence to dream again. My goal is to become a successful poultry farmer and continue expanding my businesses so that I can send my children to higher education and return to school myself.
I am proud of myself and all that I have achieved so far, and my dream is to become the most sought-after poultry farmer in my community.
To my Stand With Her supporter, I am deeply grateful for your support. You have given me the opportunity to rebuild my life - not just for myself, but for my children too. Because of you, I can dare to hope again. I pray that more women will have the chance to experience this programme and discover their own strength. Thank you for standing with me and believing in a brighter tomorrow.
The last time I felt I had hope was when Women for Women International arrived… Hope to me is what I look to achieve in the future.
