At the end of 2017, Mukarukundo, born in 2002 and resident of Gateke Village, Cyeya Cell, Rukomo Sector, Gicumbi District, worked as a house help.
Constantine Uwiringiyimana was in a relationship with a man she thought she had a future with. Things never went as planned and eventually they had to go separate ways.
Mukakarangwa, a resident of Nyarugenge District, narrates her story of how her husband abused her in their marriage.
Lambert and Chantal are among the many other couples who long for a happy marriage. Despite their efforts for peace and a strong marriage, their union kept falling short of happiness; instead of bonding, they would argue even over the littlest of matters.
It’s not a common thing for a man to initiate the reconciliation of a marriage especially when they were the ones in the wrong.
Uwimbabazi got pregnant when she was a teenager. At the time, she was living with only her mother as her father had passed on. Her mother started mistreating her, abusing her verbally and even depriving her of food.
When Alphonsine got married to the love of her life, what transpired after was something she never expected.
Mediatrice Gahongayire believes every smile has a story. As a rebellious teenager, Gahongayire had conflicts with her parents, she resented school and eventually dropped out- something that affected her already strenuous relationship with her family.
Innocent Nsegiyumva and Agnes Manirakiza lived together for twelve years and had three children. Though they were not legally married, they co-owned land. Nsegiyumva however, deprived his partner the right to share control over the harvest.
“Being abused and beaten by my husband had become part of my life as a married woman, until I found Haguruka, where I got the support that I needed to escape that terrible situation.” - Donatille.
Liberee and Deogratias have been married for 35 years and have six children together. For most of their marriage, the husband was the only one making decisions over the family’s property including selling it and using the money for his own needs instead of the family’s.
After over twenty years of marriage, Ziripa thought the hard years were now behind them as a couple. She never imagined herself being in a situation she found herself into when her husband left her for another woman.
Nyiraneza, a mother-of-one and resident of Nyamasheke District, found herself in a complicated situation.
Nyiranzirorera and her husband have been married for 30 years. Majority of those years however were filled with so much pain, she narrates.
Fanny Nyirarukundo, a resident of Kayonza district was married to Venuste Masumbuko. Their marriage was like that of most couples; have kids, build a home and a future together.
When Alex Ngirimana, a resident of Nyanza district, completed serving his Gacaca imprisonment sentence, coming back home and integrating into his family and society was a challenge.
Debora Ishimwe was leading a normal life, just like any other young girl; attending school, handling home chores, spending time and playing with mates.
Eline Mukakayumba and Athanasie Nikuze are sisters. When Nikuze bought two plots of land, she entrusted her sister with the responsibility of registering them on her behalf.
With a backdrop of Rusizi’s lush green scenery, Beatrice Nyiransabimana sits on a bench, ready to share her story with the world.
Epiphanie has been married to her husband for twenty-three years, and together they have 7 children and one grandchild.
James Rutaburingoga was 11 years old when the Genocide against Tutsi happened. He was born to a Tutsi father and a Hutu mother, and was the first born of six children.
Maria (not real name) narrates an ordeal that’s one of those ‘hard to believe’ stories.
Laurence was working as a house help when she got pregnant. The man responsible was a university graduate and a son in that very home she worked.