How Jeanette’s Dream of becoming a business woman became a reality

When UWAYISABA Jeanette, a resident of Kigarama Sector in Kicukiro District gave birth prematurely, her life was shattered. She lost hope in life and felt lonely because she didi not have anyone to talk to. She was also ashamed to reach out to other people for advise. After she gave birth, she was lucky to be among the young women who were selected to join the USAID DREAMS program. That is when things began to change for the better.

“When I joined the DREAMS program, I met other young women who encouraged me not to lose hope. They encouraged me to work hard and to remain positive. I started a business of selling fish with a capital of as little as 4,000 RWF and was supported by other young women I met in the program. Eventually, I received financial support of 65,000 RWF from the program which I used to expand my fish business. Today I am able to support my family with the profits that I make,” she said.

Jeanette from the INSHUTI group also says that in the program, she gained a lot of knowledge on reproductive health education, life skills, financial education and much more. She says that this very important teachings especially reproductive health helped her to know how to behave and avoid unplanned pregnancies and to prevent unprotected sexually transmitted infections.

"I got pregnant because I didn’t have enough information but I learned about reproductive health and we were provided with condoms so that even when you can’t manage, you protect yourself’,” She said
Jeannette appreciates the USAID ACHIEVE / DREAMS program that has transformed her life.