Impact Stories
Clementine Ntakigwirumugenzi
“My name is Clementine and I am 27 years old. I have two children, ages 11 and 13, and the younger child lives with me. When I was a small child, my father killed my mother. He was put in prison for several years and released shortly before the 1994 genocide. With my mother dead and my father in prison, I lived with my paternal aunt until I was 12 years old when she made me leave to work as a “house girl”. I lived with different families in Kigali and life was very hard. My father is still alive but I have not forgiven him for killing my mother. Also, he refused to give me any information about my mother’s family until 3 years ago, when I found out that they were all killed during the genocide.
I discovered that I was HIV-positive one year after the birth of my first child. Her father infected me. I never had the opportunity to go to school and was unable to read or write until last year when I took the 6-month literacy and numeracy program. Now I can read and write some words and I can count money. I know how to manage a cashbook, to save money and to limit my expenses because I keep a record of them.
I received a loan from Hands of Mothers and now I am a seller of tomatoes with a stand in the Gatsata market. I am a “big” seller with many regular customers. Now I can pay rent for a good house and health insurance for my children and me. We have good nutrition and I am able to pay my children’s school fees. Today, my health is good because of WE-ACTx and Hands of Mothers. I am able to take my medication because my business is successful and I can eat well. Before, I had many problems that were affecting my health.
My dream for the future is to grow my business to sell many different vegetables. I want to build my own house and educate my children so that they can go to university. I am working hard but I am at peace.”
Francine Mukarugwiza
“My name is Francine Mukarugwiza and I am 32 years old. I am not married yet and I don’t have any children. I have 3 sisters and I live with my older divorced sister in Nyamirambo, Kigali. I support my 2 younger sisters and myself. I am an orphan, my parents died in 1994. Since I was a little girl I lived with many difficulties. I was not able to continue going to school and I didn't have any skills. I was 16 years old when I was raped and became HIV positive.
I am alive today because God led me to the WE-ACTx clinic. Before I discovered WE- ACTx, I was thinking that I would die very soon. But now, I am healthy and able to work everyday. I am also able to go church; it is my passion.
A few years ago, I was chosen to go to New Hope Academy for one year to be trained as a tailor. Hands of Mothers paid all the fees, and also for my transportation, food and expenses. They also supported me to do a 3-month internship at the INEZA sewing cooperative. I worked hard and I was the only intern hired by INEZA because of my discipline and good skills.
It is hard for me to believe how good my life is now! I am healthy and able to work every day. I am earning a very good salary – it is like a dream for me. I help my sister to pay our rent, and I pay health insurance for my young sisters and me. I also pay my sisters school fees and I am proud that they will be able to finish secondary school. Before I started training and working as a tailor, it was difficult to eat even 1 meal every day. Now I can buy nutritious food and eat well to protect my health and my strength.
I am a good tailor. I can make different things but especially nice bags with patchwork, bed covers, dolls, and animals. My dream is to become a big tailor and have my own workshop. I hope to build my own house and have a very good family. Next year I plan to get married because I have already a fiancée. I will let you know!”
Immaculee Icyizanye
“My name is Immaculee, and I’m 30 years old. I have had to support myself from a very young age, even paying my own school fees. Anything I needed, I had to provide for myself, whether clothes, books, or personal items. I came to WE-ACTx in 2012 as a patient and worked as a Peer Parent. I educated children and young adults on how to take their medicine and check on their health. When I saw their health improve, I felt proud of my work and my contribution to their wellbeing. My health has also improved since being at WE-ACTx, and I am one of the patients who have the best health indicators at the clinic.
I started working with Hands of Mothers in 2014. I work on both the education programs and the income generation programs. Thanks to Hands of Mothers, I have been able to complete secondary school as they paid my school fees and provided all my supplies and uniforms. Hands of Mothers has also paid for me to attend English classes so that I can attend University in the future. I have also received training and can think critically about my future. I have a good job, can meet my basic needs, and know that I can aim even higher. I am proud to be part of Hands of Mothers and to help other women develop themselves and support their families.”
