Anita’s story is the true definition of resilience

Anita is one of the GGC girls in Musanze. She is only 17 years old. Due to financial difficulties, she had to drop out of school. After leaving school, she felt like her future had ended and lost hope for a better life.

In Anita’s words:

“Life was very hard. We could not even afford one meal a day. I used to wake up at 4:00 AM and walk almost 4 hours one way to buy sugarcanes, then carry them back another 4 hours to my neighborhood so I could sell them and get money for food. Life was really hard, and I could not see any way out.

One day, while I was home, I received a message from our local leader (Mudugudu) asking me to report to the Sector office because there was an organization that wanted to help young girls. I almost didn’t go because I did not believe it, but something in my heart pushed me to go.

When I arrived at the Sector office, I met other girls like me, and for the first time, I started to believe again. Then we met the GGC team. They treated us with so much love, kindness, and care.

After a few meetings, we started our girls’ camp, which I really enjoyed. We learned many things, from personal hygiene to entrepreneurship and English. We also received mentorship because many of us had lost hope in ourselves.

After two weeks of learning and joy, we were given the chance to choose vocational skills based on our interests. I chose tailoring. The training lasted six months, and afterward, we were placed into cooperatives. Today, I am a fashion designer in Sunflower Elegant Fashion Cooperative.

My life has completely changed for the better. I now have a job, I earn money, and I can support myself and my family. My dream is to one day open my own fashion shop (Atelier) and help other girls who are going through the same situation I once faced.

I appreciate GGC for all the support, and I also thank our local leaders for giving us this opportunity.

Thank you to all GGC donors and supporters for investing in our dreams and believing in us. Our lives have been transformed because of your generosity.”

Stories like Anita’s remind us why we do what we do. One opportunity, one skill, and one act of kindness can completely transform a life