My name is Uwayezu Henriette, and I am from Kabeza Cell, Cyuve Sector. I am currently a village leader, but before HAGURUKA, my life was very different. We had no peace in our home; we used to fight, and economic violence was a constant struggle. It was a very difficult time.
Then, I joined the HAGURUKA training. They taught us so much: self-confidence, self-esteem, public speaking, and even how to work with banks to improve our lives.
Before the training, I was afraid to speak up, but it gave me the courage to share my ideas in community meetings. To my surprise, people listened! They started trusting me, not because I was a woman, but because they valued what I had to say. That’s how I became a village leader.
Now, I help other women in my community find their own strength and resolve their conflicts. I even encourage them to take out loans from Umurenge SACCO so we can work together to improve our lives.
“I never imagined I could be a leader, but HAGURUKA showed me that I had a voice and that my voice mattered. It’s changed my life, and I’m so grateful.”
