Network for Africa

Overcoming trauma, rebuilding communities

  • About
    • Network for Africa UK
    • Network for Africa USA
    • Past Achievements
    • History
    • Annual Reports and Audited Accounts
    • Strategic Plan
    • Safeguarding and Associated Policies
  • Mental Health
    • Our Approach
    • Mission + Vision
    • Progress So Far
    • World Mental Health Day
  • Projects
    • Rwanda
    • Sierra Leone
    • Uganda
    • Project Reports & Evaluations
    • Testimonies
  • News
    • Covid-19 UPDATE
    • Covid-19
  • Contact
    • Newsletter Sign-Up
  • Support Our Work
    • Our Partners
    • London Marathon
    • Give As You Live
    • Big Give Match-Funding Campaign
    • Fundraising Ideas
    • Remember Network For Africa In Your Will
  • Donate
Home » News » Celebrating Ruth On International Women’s Day

07-Mar-2014

Celebrating Ruth On International Women’s Day

I am 36 years old, the mother of two sons, and living with my husband.

 

Before coming to Aspire, I was a nobody. I had a bad relationship with my husband because it was his responsibility to cater to all the family’s financial needs. As a stay-at-home mother with no job, I was very lonely and frustrated. Nobody could hear me, there was no one to talk to, and I cried every day because I had no hope for my future.

 

Before joining Aspire, I could not earn or even touch a single coin unless my husband gave it to me; I only used to do house work, take care of the children and wait until my husband came back from work and gave me money for things we needed at home. Raising children is a great job, but if a wife doesn’t earn any money then the husband despises her.

 

Having my children at home without toys and other children to play with was a big problem. But now the Aspire childcare programme is helping my son a lot – he is playing, socialising and learning discipline. My son has improved so much in terms of child development. My children are well nourished because of the courses in cookery, hygiene and nutrition.

 

Since joining Aspire, my life was changed because I have acquired skills that make me confident. I started attending English class in January and I’m now able to communicate and express myself in English. Now I look forward, toward the future.

 

Since the Aspire cookery course, I have started to make cookies, cakes, chapatti, and mandazi, and I sell them in different supermarkets in downtown Kigali. I earn about 50,000 Rwandan francs ($73) per month. This amount helps me to solve a lot of family issues, and my husband now always tells me how I am a good woman. He has never done that before.

 

At Aspire I am learning how to save money. I am in a saving group, which we formed after being trained on savings and cooperative formation. Each of the 27 members contributes 1500 Rwandan francs per week ($2) so that we can take out loans if we need them. It is a small amount of money but means a lot to each and every one of us. One day, I hope to own my own restaurant and create jobs for other women.

 

 

Above all I appreciate this programme, for it has given me hope for the future through the acquisition of knowledge. My husband is proud of me. My family and community members where I live call me a hard-working woman; before this program, my nickname was Lazy Woman. I thank God for Aspire. This achievement is all because of you. When I think of what this programme did for me, I think it is like someone who helps to raise people from the dead; it’s incredible and has led to unbelievable empowerment.

 

Filed Under: News

Make a Donation

With your financial support Network for Africa can give the counselling training needed to help resourceful and resilient community members leave the harmful legacy of conflict behind.

Donate from the UK Donate from the US

Recent News

  • Anna’s Sunflowers 09-Mar-2023
  • One Family’s Journey To Hope 09-Feb-2023
  • Hope And Strength In 2023 26-Jan-2023
  • Seasons Greetings from Network for Africa 14-Dec-2022
  • Getting Ready To Go To The Bank 10-Nov-2022

Network for Africa UK

14 Saint Marys Street, Stamford
Lincolnshire PE9 2DF

Phone: 0203 951 0863
Email: information@network4africa.org

Network for Africa US

PO Box 6609
Charlottesville VA 22906

Email: information@network4africa.org

Registered Charity

Network for Africa is a charity registered in the UK - 1120932.

Network for Africa is a 501(c)(3) and our tax ID is 26-1502938.

Network for Africa is a charity registered in both the USA and the UK, but we use the spelling most commonly used in Africa on this website.

Connect With Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Home
  • About
  • Mental Health
  • Projects
  • News
  • Support Our Work
  • Donate
  • Contact
  • Sitemap
  • Cookie Policy
  • Privacy Policy

© Copyright 2012 - 2023 Network for Africa, all rights reserved. A web creation by LBDesign.