Real stories, from the people closest to the work.

“I was a shy girl with many dreams but very little confidence. I often doubted myself and was afraid to speak in front of others. Like many girls, I believed that my opinions did not matter.”

When Hope Iwacu Initiative introduced the Safe Space Tuseme (Speak Out) Club at her school in Senior Two, Kevine was selected to lead it — despite students from primary through Advanced Level being older and, she assumed, more capable. “Hope Iwacu Initiative believed in me before I believed in myself,” she says. Through theatre performances and dialogue, she learned to facilitate discussions and encourage classmates to speak openly about the challenges affecting their education and wellbeing.

Now a Senior Five ICT student, Kevine hopes to start a Safe Space Tuseme Club at her current school. “Believe in yourself. Do not let fear stop you from pursuing your dreams,” she says. “Together, we can build stronger schools, stronger communities, and a brighter future for Rwanda.”

In search of a better future, Florence was trafficked to Mozambique, where she experienced one of the most difficult periods of her life. “The experience left me feeling hopeless and uncertain about what the future would hold,” she says.

When she returned home, Hope Iwacu Initiative welcomed her with compassion, respect, and understanding. “Instead of seeing me as a victim, they saw my potential. They walked alongside me, offering guidance, encouragement, and the confidence I needed to rebuild my life step by step.”

Today, Florence is a graduate of the University of Tourism, Technology and Business Studies, happily married, and runs her own business. “My experience no longer defines who I am. Instead, it has become a source of strength and resilience,” she says. “There is always hope. With the right support, courage, and determination, it is possible to rebuild your life and achieve your dreams.”