IMOW - A Child-Headed Household

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STATISTICS:


•	Recent studies suggest that access to credit at the household level acts as a substitute for child labor.

•	Becoming a microfinance client has led to increased self-confidence in women and improved status within the community, according to results of Freedom from Hunger studies in Bolivia and Ghana. Participants in Ghana played a more active role in community life and community ceremonies, while participants in Bolivia were actively involved in local government.

A Child-Headed Household
Marie Josee Nyirabisabo

Rwanda

GALLERY

CONVERSATION

I was told that my mother died when I was five. My younger brother, Cyprien, and I never knew her. Papa died during the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. He had remarried, but after his death our step-mother left us. She was still young and wanted to get remarried herself. Our house was destroyed during the war. Since then, we haven't been able to reconstruct another home. We live in a house borrowed from a neighbour. The life of an orphan is not something that one deals with easily. The misery, the chronic hunger, the ignorance, the isolation, the scorn, the exploitation of all sorts, makes for a dismal life. I never went to school. My older sister had to leave her studies after my mother’s death. Today, however, Cyprien attends primary school. The YWCA helped us piece our life back together. I joined the YWCA in 2003 when they began a program to assist child-headed households. They taught several projects that could benefit illiterate youth, such as myself, teaching us embroidery, batik, and making postcards from banana leaves. I have already learned to embroider and to make postcards. I have also received training in reproductive health, HIV/AIDS prevention, and micro project management. Today I am enrolled in the literacy program in the Mata centre, which is also sponsored by YWCA. For my future, I will practice my skill of embroidery in my village, and sell my crafts in Gitarama, the closest town. I can also make five postcards in half a day, each selling for 89¢. With the money I earn, I want to buy and raise some pigs. I hope that we will have enough money to construct our own home. I want very much that my brother and I have stability, like our neighbours.

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Leslie Conboy (United States)
You are an empowering and encouraging individual! I can't even imagine how your life must be, but from reading a little bit about it, I can tell you are making great strides to make the situation for you and your family so much better. Look how far you have come. The YWCA has been a great source to you and now you'll have the skills you need to become even more successful. Best of luck to you!

Shailja Patel (Kenya)
Thank you for sharing your story, Marie Josee.
You are a hero!
I've included it in my review of African contributions to IO in Pambazuka News:
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/books/34114

temitope (Nigeria)
Its not easy being an orphan.I have some friends who are also, and i try to help in the ways can.Just keep your head high, learn all that you can an you will shine your way through life. remember that sorrows may last for a while, but joy comes in the morning.

Laura (United States)
I was moved by your story. Life has been difficult, but instead of holding on to that you have moved forward and pieced your life back together. Your life must be a beautiful tapestry with all the richness and character defining experiences you've gone thru. I'm so glad the YWCA was there for you and you've gained some valuable skills as a result. My wish for you is a life-affirming future.

Akiko (Japan)
It is amazing to see what Marie has lived through and the strength and hope she held on to through all the struggle. It is great to read about how a life can change through organizations like the World YWCA. I am humbled to read this thinking about all the opportunities I have and how relatively easy it is for me to start a new business, attend school, or improve my own life.

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