My name is Adia Jonathan Valex, a 27-year-old father of two, living in Maaru Sub-County, Kotido District. I’m a proud member of Tokerete Saving Group supported by WFP and SASAKAWA under the AMS programme.

There was a time in my life when I felt completely lost. I was struggling with alcohol, and it consumed every part of me; my ability to think clearly, plan for my family, and even believe in myself. Hopelessness settled deep inside me. I had no direction, no vision, and no confidence. I reached a point where I almost took my own life.

In June, 2024 Institute for Social Transformation in partnership with the World Food Programme WFP introduced our group to the GALS (Gender Action Learning System). Through the GALS tools like the “Bird in a Cage”, I was able to identify the negative behaviors and social norms that had trapped me like the cage I had unknowingly built around myself. The “Vision Road Journey” tool helped me draw a clear path forward. I mapped my dreams, broke them into achievable steps, and began acting. With GALS, everything in my life changed.  IST didn’t just bring training they brought hope. They helped me rediscover my purpose and see that my life still held value.

“I now know that my life has meaning. I’m no longer trapped, I have direction, I have a voice, and I have a future. That is what the power of GALS has given me.” – Jonathan

Today, I stand with renewed confidence and a deep sense of purpose. I now have a vision to buy land near the trading center where I will grow sorghum and millet, not just to feed my family, but to earn a steady income. Before, I couldn’t even afford school fees. But now, my children go to school, and every day I watch them grow, learn, and dream. That alone fills my heart with pride. But I didn’t stop there.

I felt a responsibility to share what I had learned. I have started reaching out to both youth and elders in Maaru, including three community groups that IST has not directly trained. Together, we are planting seeds of hope and opening our eyes to what’s possible.

This journey has taught me that development isn’t just about being trained it’s about being empowered. It’s about having the tools, vision, and encouragement to transform your own life and to help others do the same.

I believe this project should reach even more people. Because if I could change, anyone can.

I am living proof that transformation is possible. And my message to anyone struggling like I once did is simple: change begins when you start believing in yourself.