Nyiramugisha Adeline and Habiyaremye Jean Bosco married young in 2013. Adeline was 21, and Habiyaremye was only 19. Their troubles began a year later. Habiyaremye frequented bars, returning home angry or needing money they simply didn’t have. “Five debt collectors came once, and I felt like leaving forever,” Adeline recalled.
Habiyaremye felt pressured into the marriage. He claimed Adeline moved in uninvited and stayed forcibly, and his family disapproved. Friends mocked him for marrying an “older woman,” fueling his reliance on alcohol. The fighting escalated, and even family mediation failed.
Habiyaremye, depressed, stopped working and turned to drink more. Every possession became a source of conflict, even though they had little. Their children’s education suffered due to lack of funds.
Adeline felt trapped and silent until discovering the Ingo Z’amahoro project in Haguruka. This program encouraged open communication. On the first day, they felt a sense of shared vulnerability and attended every session.
They learned: cooperation between spouses in household chores, healthy conflict resolution, and ending domestic violence.
After the training, Habiyaremye spent less time at bars, communication improved, and arguments subsided. Now, they share his earnings, prioritizing family needs. “Before, conflict meant empty plates,” Habiyaremye admitted. “Now, we eat together, using our money wisely.”
Adeline also found her voice through Haguruka’s women’s space. Her newfound confidence led her to lead a cooperative of 25 people. “I used to be timid,” she said, “but now I speak clearly.”
Today, they are a happy family with thriving children. They credit Haguruka for saving their marriage from the brink of collapse. Now a role model in their village, they encourage other couples to talk openly and resolve conflict.