Moonlight Stars
A project by RHU

I was born in Western Uganda in a small village. My life there was ok and I remember I had a happy childhood. I went to school until I was 13 but then our money ran out. When I was twenty my mother passed away and I didn’t have many options left. I had had my first child by then, and I decided to move to Kampala.

 

I was alone and, as time went on, money became a big problem. In order to take care of my son I had to start being a moonlight star. At first I was quite scared to begin but my friends encouraged me by reminding me that I needed the money. I also learned to drink and smoke marijuana back then; I didn’t do it before but my fellow moonlight stars explained that it helps you work because you feel things a little less. Some of the women that I worked with when I started out have since passed away. Some were killed by clients.

 

Today, almost ten years later, I have a working routine and the fear is numbed. I live in Ki-Mombasa and work starts from the moment I wake up in the morning. Our work is illegal and police raids are frequent, so I cannot limit myself to one time of day. I have another child who is nine years old. She lives with her father’s mother in the village, but I wish I could bring her to Kampala where she could get a decent education. It is very important for her to be educated; she needs to grow up and get a good job, and to not follow my footsteps.

 

Working with RHU we get to assist our friends with issues like pregnancy, STDs, and HIV treatment. The community loves RHU because they allow us to spread the information that keeps people safe. Sometimes we even educate our clients; many of them come to us and ask to not use a condom. Over time we learned how to explain the risks to them. We don’t yell at them or scold them. We teach them, and they hear us.

 

I dream that one day I can open a small boutique. I want to stop being a moonlight star and open a shop where I sell clothing. RHU taught us business skills and I have the knowledge. All I need now is the capital.