By Elizabeth R. Auma K; A Heartbeat in Every Policy

As I walked through Kalerwe market recently, a young lad crossed my path carrying a burden too heavy for his age. He was hawking ‘nsenene’, Uganda’s beloved seasonal delicacy of grasshoppers. With the end-of-year rains, this God-sent treat appears almost mysteriously, and then it disappears like it appeared.

What held my attention, however, was not the nsenene, but the boy, whom I shall call Tinto. With a large black bag hanging on Tinto’s small back, he looked no more than twelve years old. By law and indeed by age, he should have been in school trying to find his way through a childish smile to a strict teacher of Mathematics. Unfortunately, he was searching the market crowd for buyers. I could only imagine that the bag contained goods worth not more than thirty thousand Uganda shillings (approximately eight US dollars). It didn’t look to me like he was trading for a profit but for survival, probably to feed younger siblings at home.

A familiar feeling rose in me to give Tinto something. Probably buying and paying more than the price he set. This would be my way of appreciating him for his determination and sympathizing with him for the burden he carried at such a tender age. But then another thought disrupted my sympathy; ‘Elizabeth, you cannot help every Tinto individually but you can make a difference through policy.’

For a moment I got to think about the power that God had entrusted to me. It was not about preaching to masses or rallying a crusade of men and women chanting my name in a political rally, but the power of shaping inclusive and sustainable trade policy. Trade policy is not about emotions but creating systems, making deliberate choices that can change the direction of thousands of lives not just for a day, but for generations. Trade Policy is about creating systematic corridors for young boys like Tinto to trade from a position of opportunity, not desperation. Trade Policy is about building an atmosphere where Mama Sarah does not have to choose between feeding her family and educating her children.

Recently, I read that global per capita income, adjusted for inflation, has almost grown four times from USD 2,161 in 1995 to USD 11,570 in 2024. These figures speak of progress in a generalized sense but not for Tinto in the market. I am not even sure that Tinto knows what a thousand dollars looks like.

That moment deeply clarified it to me that I cannot help everyone in need. Neither can you.  Some of the people we sympathize with are trapped by circumstance. Some are simply taking advantage of our sympathy. And some like the young Tinto are doing their very best to survive with dignity.

This moment equally draws me to a deeper understating that God does not ask us to carry the world on our shoulders but to be faithful stewards of what he had entrusted into our hands.  Scripture tells us that “the poor you will always have with you” (Matthew 26:11). This does not mean that we should not help those in need but we should respond to that need in wisdom.

In this case, we can use trade policy to:

1. Create pathways for small traders to formalize and thrive.
2. Invest in value chains that uplift families.
3. Provide skills training instead of short-term relief.
4. Support children in school, where they belong.
5. Protect the vulnerable while slowly discouraging cycles of dependency.

When we craft trade policy in integrity, it reflects the heart of a just God. In that case, we honor God not only when we pray or give in church but in setting up systems that restore the dignity of Tinto, Mama Sarah and the countless number of vulnerable people.

Fifteen years of Trade Policy experience has taught me this; In restoring dignity to Tinto, to Mama Sarah, and to the countless unseen faces of the market, we do more than trade Policy; We touch the heart of God.

Enjoyed this piece? Continue the conversation inside my private WhatsApp community for women:
Hearts & Trade – Women in the Boardroom, Business & Beyond.
Click here to join: https://chat.whatsapp.com/LvS3dNH51iZHkSRUHKYN01