Not even blindness could stop their love

Every love story has a chapter about when the couple fell in love.
For Stella Auma and Christopher Bongomin, it was during a conference organised by the Pentecostal Church in Gulu District in 2005.

Bongomin who is visually impaired was accompanied by his younger sister, Nancy Lakica to the conference. For a long time, Lakica knew her brother’s longing for a wife and when she spotted Auma, she thought the two were a perfect match.
“Nancy described Auma’s body features to Bongomin saying she was a beautiful girl and would make an ideal partner,” he says.

The 44-year-old did not want to let the opportunity pass him by, so, he proposed marriage two days to the end of the event. Although Auma did not agree to the proposal, she suggested a courtship.
At the time, Bongomin was a vendor in Gulu market selling boiled eggs; however, the business was on the verge of collapsing. “I offered him Shs17,000, to boost his business; an amount he accepted,” Auma says.
Eventually, the couple cemented their relationship and got married in 2005.

Unconditional union
Bongomin says he trusts his wife and knows she is faithful. “As much as I am unable to see, I know she loves me unconditionally,” he says.
Although Auma’s family was against the idea of her getting married to Bongomin, she persisted that he was the man she had fallen in love with.

“I did not marry him out of pity but love. I was attracted to him because of his salvation and the fact that he is a Gospel singer,” she says. Auma singlehandedly does most of the domestic chores including gardening. This is a big challenge to the home.

“In addition, my husband’s relatives hardly support me and yet they expect money from me. They claim my business is their son’s,” she says.
Auma enrolled for vocational training after dropping out of school in Senior Three. She learnt how to knit sweaters and tablecloths. Today, her source of livelihood is embroidery.

Challenges
The toughest times are when the children fall sick because Auma foots the medical expenses alone.
“Obviously, it is a man’s responsibility to attend to the needs of his family but in this particular case, my husband is not able to provide for this family because of his state,” she says.
Despite the hurdles, Auma is grateful for the support from her local community and church that offer her counselling and financial aid from time to time.

Safety at home
Auma says her husband has mastered all the directions within and outside the house. Since he moves by himself most of the time, his wife ensures not to leave harmful objects around the house.
In circumstances where the couple is paying a visit outside home, she leads him by holding one of his hands. Sometimes the children help out especially if she is busy somewhere else.
To couples in a similar relationships, Auma advises the able-bodied party to always support the physically challenged partner.
Also, they should be tolerant and patient towards the affected partner.

What they say about the couple

“Auma’s love for her husband is genuine. She is protective of him and supports him in every situation, more so, holding his hands to direct him on the path to follow.”
Molly Aluku, fellow trader

“I have never heard any complaints from this couple from the time I started living near them. Auma respects her husband. She is not like other women who disrespect men with disabilities.”
Milton Olanya, neighbour

“Their marriage is ordained by God. That is why Auma has never despised her husband. She is faithful to him despite his blindness. Other Christians should emulate this couple.”
Christine Ayoo, church member