From despair to hope The Neighbourhood project - a turning point in life

Abstract

Background: Women in Uganda constitute a marginalized group because of their position in society. They often face discrimination in different forms, and this affects their possibility to participate in society. This exclusion often leads to occupational injustice. The Participatory Occupational Justice Framework (POJF) is a tool that is used to raise awareness and demonstrate underlying factors for occupational injustice. This study highlights social participation and occupational participation and how it has an important role in achieving health. Aim: The aim was to study the experience of change factors for increased participation, for vulnerable women in Uganda after participating in the Neighbourhood project. Method: A qualitative research using semi structured interviews with vulnerable women that participate in Watoto’s The Neighbourhood project. Seven interviews were held with participating women between 20-40 years old who have been in the project for at least one year. Results: The women experienced that different factors in life had changed after participating in the project. From these factors five different categories arose, which are “Economic conditions”, “Family conditions”, “Social context”, “Meaning of faith”, and “Self-image”. From these categories followed subcategories based on a time perspective, before the participation in the Neighbourhood project and after. A repeating theme emerged from the analysis and was entitled: “From despair to hope”. Discussion: This study has highlighted how important hope is and how an occupational therapist can inspire others and bring hope into people's life, to encourage and motivate for a change.