Immaculate became pregnant at the age of 15 and successfully delivered a son after a difficult labor at home that lasted three days, leaving her with a fistula. After five years of loneliness and ridicule for her condition, Immaculate left home with her son to live with a childhood friend. At the age of 21 she was referred for fistula treatment to One By One's Uganda partner -- TERREWODE. Following a successful repair, she completed advanced tailoring training through the TERREWODE Women's Economic Empowerment and Self-Reliance Reintegration Centre. Now 22 years old, Immaculate proudly calls herself a fashion designer.

 

“My family now respects me,” Immaculate says. Based on her tenacity and the garments she makes, her future in the industry is bright. When asked whether she wants to get married she says, “To talk of marriage, I don’t feel like getting married at this time. I would like first to achieve my goal, because without, I can’t make it.”