About DSMF
Our Story
DSMF is a registered charitable organization in Uganda. It was founded by Dorah Lubega Atwongere, a single mother of 4 incredible children. Dorah got married immediately after completion of her university education in 2005, where she studied B. Arts (Education). She was 24 years old when she got married. And from the norms of her society which calls for women to get married younger, it looked like a dream come true to her family, friends, and neighbors.
Dorah’s marriage journey however did not go as she expected. Despite the degree she held, she was denied a chance to work like any other educated woman. This tremendously lowered her self esteem among her peers. With no work and income, Dorah completely depended on her husband who used this as a way to disrespect her with infidelity, emotional abuse and she became a victim of domestic violence.
Vision
Our Vision is – An empowered Single Mother able to realize her social, economic, political, and wellbeing to successfully raise children.
Mission
To organize, support, and work with single mothers to overcome social-economic and psychological challenges associated with their status in life.
This went on for years but Dorah feared to leave her marriage, her parents always assured her that it would get better. As years went by, Dorah’s husband stopped supporting her children with food and school fees, which pushed her to get out and look for work to feed and educate her children. In October 2014, Dorah left her matrimonial home with her children and stayed at her sister’s house. Dorah’s husband demanded her to go back but she refused and he plotted to kill her. Dorah was attacked on 23rd, Feb 2015 beaten, strangled, and was rescued by a security guard in upper kololo and handed over to kiira police station, Kampala. Dorah struggled with court sessions, fighting for justice and safety for six months without any signs of victory. Her husband continued to threaten to kill her and she fled to the USA where she sought asylum.
Dorah clearly understands the hardships of single motherhood in Uganda which include financial constraints, hopelessness, stigmatization, trauma and depression among others. In 2015, Dorah formed a group of single mothers on social media platforms with an aim of building hope, motivate, inspire and encourage one another to enhance financial and mental growth to successfully raise children and better communities. Many single mothers joined DSMF platforms, it created a safe non judgemental space to share stories, inspire and motivate one another. In an effort to keep formal, transparent and legit, DSMF registered to serve single mothers and communities at large.
Our Board of Directors
Our Partners
