Claudine Ingabire, 33, is a mother of four children. Her eldest is in primary four, while the youngest attends nursery school. Claudine is married to Innocent Ntawugayumugabo, 38, and the couple has been together for 13 years. They live in Mbati Cell, Mugina Sector, Kamonyi District.

Claudine and Innocent’s family was once among the most vulnerable households in the Mugina Community. They struggled with extreme poverty, had limited knowledge about self-sustainable transformation, and often experienced conflict at home. But since they began receiving support from the CARSA Ministry, their story has become one of remarkable transformation.

In 2022, the family received a goat from CARSA. That single goat has since multiplied into four. They also began saving more, invested in small livestock such as a pig and a couple of rabbits, improved hygiene at home, and learnt to live peacefully together. These milestones are clear signs that the family is on a path toward a brighter future.

Claudine testifies that the real turning point came after attending the 7-Day Empower Workshop last year, “After the workshop, it was as if our minds woke up. Before, we never thought about development. The little money we earned was wasted without purpose. But we learnt the importance of saving and using resources wisely.”

She continues, “Now, we are more united as a couple. No one acts alone anymore. In the past, conversations often ended in arguments, but today we discuss matters calmly before making decisions. This change came from the workshop and counseling we received on family relationships.”

Innocent echoes his wife’s words, saying the Empower Workshop not only strengthened their relationship but also helped them work in unity to build their household, “Before the Empower Workshop, we were not in harmony. But today we know how to live peacefully and save together, especially after receiving the goat in 2022. We decided never to sell the mother goat but rather to sell their baby goats to generate income.”

Together, Claudine and Innocent have been able to achieve things they once thought impossible. Claudine proudly shares, “We bought a solar panel worth 20,000 RWF. This was a big change for our children because they can now study at night with proper lighting. As a result, all of them passed their exams and were promoted to the next classes, unlike before when they often repeated.”

The family also ventured into raising rabbits and pigs. They sold three rabbits to buy school uniforms and supplies for their children. Claudine explains, “We bought a rabbit for 2,500 RWF and later sold it for 6,000 RWF once it matured. In total, I earned 18,000 RWF, which helped me buy new school uniforms for my children.”

Likewise, they sold their pig and used the proceeds to pay for Mutuelle de Santé (community-based health insurance), ensuring all their children had medical coverage. Now, whenever illness strikes, they no longer struggle to find treatment.

Although this family has made impressive progress in changing their mindset and improving their lives, the journey is far from over. Though they still lack a stable source of income, they are remaining hopeful. Claudine shares their goals, “The path to development is still long, but we are determined to keep saving, raising more rabbits and pigs, so that in the future we can pay school fees and health insurance without having to sell all our livestock. We also dream of starting other small income-generating activities besides pottery.”

CARSA Ministry continues to stand alongside vulnerable families like Claudine and Innocent’s, helping them make wise decisions, strengthen family relationships, and improve well-being. So far, more than 120 people in the Mugina Community have been trained in development initiatives, and it is clear that step by step, lives are being transformed.

With faith, unity, and hard work, there is no doubt that poverty will be overcome.

From Struggles to Hope: Claudine and Innocent’s Journey of Transformation

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