Success Stories
Real stories
Stories of change
in their own words
Meet the women, teachers, nurses and young people whose lives have been changed by Transcendental Meditation.
Read their stories ↓
Christine Amito
Namuwango, Uganda · Age 37 · First week of TM
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I lost most of my family members during the war in Northern Uganda. After experiencing such profound loss, my greatest hope was to find a man who would love me, support me and be my everything.
Unfortunately, the relationship did not turn out as I had hoped. I found myself with a man who was the opposite of what I expected. He physically abused me, sometimes beating me in front of our children. He would also lock me outside the house, forcing me to spend nights outside. Eventually, after enduring these painful experiences, I made the difficult decision to divorce him.
After leaving the relationship, I turned to alcohol, believing that drinking would help me forget the pain and everything I had gone through. However, excessive alcohol consumption negatively affected my health, particularly my internal organs.
After learning Transcendental Meditation (TM), I stopped drinking alcohol. Even in just one week of TM practice, I now feel relieved from much of the emotional burden I had been carrying and have begun to experience greater peace and hope in my life.
My life has been a journey from profound loss and painful experiences to healing, forgiveness, and renewed hope for the future.
Agnes Ajiko
Namuwango, Uganda · Age 33
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I was in an abusive relationship for more than ten years. During the relationship, I experienced constant outbursts, fighting and threats to end my life. Living in such an environment left me deeply traumatised.
As a housewife, I felt that I had very limited options. I tried to work on the relationship, but my husband did not support my efforts. Despite all the struggles and my attempts to keep the family together, my husband eventually left me and the children in a rented house and chose to remarry another woman. The experience left me struggling with suicidal thoughts, emotional pain, anxiety and depression.
However, after learning Transcendental Meditation, I now feel a heavy burden has been lifted from me. I now feel more relaxed, hopeful and emotionally relieved. I have now forgiven my former husband, and I am looking forward to a better future, with a renewed focus on the well-being of myself and my children.
Despite years of difficult circumstances, I can begin to regain hope and look towards the future with greater peace and strength.
Lydia Kamateka
Namuwongo Refugee · Age 59
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My name is Lydia Kamateka, I am 59 years old. I am a displaced widow who lost my husband and seven of my ten children.
For a long time we lived in extreme poverty, with no permanent shelter and many days without food, and I felt hopeless, even wishing for death to end the pain.
After learning Transcendental Meditation, my life changed. I can sleep through the night, and I feel calmer, happier and more hopeful despite the challenges I still face.
TM has truly helped restore my peace, thank you for saving my life.
Agaba Lucian
Biology and Chemistry Teacher
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My name is Mr. Agadi Lucian, a teacher of Biology and Chemistry. Achieving both my personal and professional goals has always been a struggle, made even harder by the anxiety and depression I faced.
In Uganda many of us find it difficult to talk about mental health, and for a long time I carried these challenges silently. But when I began practicing Transcendental Meditation, everything started to change slowly but surely. Today I am more in control of my emotions, more mindful, and careful not to hurt others.
Meditation has transformed me in mind, body, and behavior, giving me new strength to take on tasks, especially with the new curriculum that demands so much from teachers. My mind has opened up to fresh and creative ways of teaching and supporting my learners. Meditation is truly a life-changer. It feels like a new therapy for the mind, giving me peace and helping me become a better teacher and a better person.
Teacher
Gershiborn Christian High School
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Transcendental Meditation has brought a new sense of balance and clarity into my life as a teacher at Gershiborn Christian High School. Before TM, I often felt overwhelmed by lesson planning, grading, and managing the classroom. Since making meditation part of my daily routine, everything has shifted.
I feel more energized, creative, and joyful in my work. My lesson planning has improved, and I start each day with a clear mind and renewed purpose.
Even my students have noticed the change—they respond positively to the calm and focus I now bring to the classroom. TM has truly been a blessing, helping me become not only a better teacher, but also a more present mentor.
Patience
School Secretary
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As a school secretary, I used to feel completely exhausted—especially during exam periods. I would often shout at students and lose control of my emotions.
I didn’t have the awareness or self-discipline to manage the pressure. But since I learned TM I’ve truly changed.
Now, I respect myself, my job, and the people around me. I’m calmer, more patient, and more aware of others’ feelings. TM has taught me how to reduce stress and live a happier, more balanced life. Thank you for supporting this program, and bravo to our teacher for guiding us with so much care.
More voices
Moments of change
Akimaku Christine
TM Beneficiary
Christine used to feel deeply isolated and lonely. She didn’t want to open up to anyone and carried her struggles alone, which left her feeling very burdened. This often resulted in tension headaches. After learning Transcendental Meditation (TM), she has become more social and interactive. She no longer experiences headaches and now feels free and comfortable with her colleagues.
Akiteng Lydia
TM Beneficiary
Lydia was experiencing high levels of stress due to the many challenges of being a single mother. This affected her to the point where she was losing interest in her tailoring training. After learning TM, she feels much more relieved and composed. She is now better able to overcome these challenges and is more focused on completing her training.
Atim Regina
TM Beneficiary
Regina used to break down in tears, blaming her parents for not sending her to school like other young girls. She thought that was simply her fate in life. After learning TM, she now realizes how fortunate she is to have acquired a skill. She no longer blames her parents.
Birungi Katherine
Registered Nurse, Medik Hospital
I am Birungi Katherine, a Registered Nurse at Medik Hospital. Since I learned Transcendental Meditation (TM) with my team, work has become much easier for me. I feel calmer, more energetic, and even younger! My team is more cooperative, and I no longer receive complaints from patients. Our overall performance has improved, and I’m truly grateful for this program and the wonderful trainers who guided us.
Rose
Senior Nurse, Bulamagi Health Center
Rose, the Senior Nurse at Bulamagi Health Center, said, “I am grateful to the great team at AWAGO that introduced the TM practice to our healthcare professionals.” She testified that there had been increased work enthusiasm among her healthcare team and she herself felt inner peace and balance, mentally and socially. “I can easily coordinate my team with less pressure and anxiety,” said Rose.
Patience
Pediatrician, City Medical Center
Patience is a pediatrician at City Medical Center. The priceless smile on her face clearly shows the peace and joy TM has brought into her life. “Caring for toddlers is an amazing task and at the same time overwhelming. The TM practice has improved my emotional state from worries to joys as I give service to these toddlers under my care,” she said. She expressed gratitude to the AWAGO team for introducing the TM program at their facility.
Margret
TM Beneficiary
The training helped me develop coping strategies for managing stress and anxiety. Now I feel more confident and empowered to prioritize my mental health.
Sharon
TM Beneficiary
TM training programs has had a profound impact on my life. After learning TM, my life has changed, my relationship with my family members and newborns has improved. All these have promoted my mental wellness at home and in our community.