Ladies behind the name “Umutima”

After our last blog, you might be wondering who are these ladies whose products you want to have. We thought you would! J

That is why we decided to present them to you with short stories of their lives and their view of NWC.

The stories are the result of interviews that were conducted by Jody Nathan with the help of her translator Henry Bizabityo.

MUKAMUGUNGA EUGENIE

During our interview Eugenie’s young son stops on his way home from school to visit. His book bag is bulging, heavy with books. Eugenie first came to the Women’s Center to learn English.

After the Genocide in 1994 she and her sister were living in an orphanage. Some European workers wanted to offer her a job, but because she did not speak English they were unable to hire her. It crushed her heart. She vowed to never miss another chance.

Eugenie, now 44 years old, is the sole provider for her family. Her husband is permanently traumatized from the events of the Genocide and is unable to work. The money she earns at the Women’s Center provides enough for her family’s needs. They have no housing expenses because they live in a family member’s home. Eugenie dreams of one day living in their own home. 

She hopes to continue working with the Center and one day teach others to read and write. She wants to pass along the knowledge so other women can help themselves. She believes this can be accomplished by “working hard and working together.”

MUSABYINGABIRE EPIPHANIE

Epiphanie found the Women’s Center through a friend. She was excited to hear about the literacy, sewing and computer classes that the Center was offering. Epiphanie worked at home. Her husband is a businessman and their four children attend school. Epiphanie approached the possibility of becoming involved in the Women’s Center with her husband and in 2011, she did just that!

Now in 2014 she teaches the Kinyarwanda Literacy classes for the Center. Illiteracy in the native Kinyarwanda language is just one of the many challenges here in Rwanda. Epiphanie knows all too well the isolation that Rwandese women can feel and hopes to one day develop and participate in a community outreach program that could lead more women and even men to develop skills that could help improve their lives.