“At 68 years old, I have never had a peaceful home without conflicts, without GBV of any type. My body, soul, and spirit had the wounds and as I’m standing before you, I am healthy and wealthy because of these champions ! May God bless them abundantly ! They are not only engaged in community empowerment but also in God’s service,” Odette Niyonsaba with many tears of joy, talks to the GEWEP project staff.
Mrs. Odette NIYONSABA used the evidence to show us the scars on her body caused by the abuse of her spouse, who denied her the rights on all their properties, including the property she herself says that she had inherited from her own family after surviving the Genocide against the Tutsi and brought it to support and sustain her new family. She was the one who fed the cows, though she did not drink their milk ; she used to grow crops, yet she did not know or have any right to the income from the sold crops/harvest. Her husband used to pay his own health insurance, without paying attention to the health of the rest of his family members, etc. Odette, who has beautiful God-given hair (see her on the left side of the above picture) ; was repeatedly accused of committing infidelity (by her husband) if she washed her head and combed her hair well !

The Champion Nyiraneza Elizabeth, who became the Kabuga village leader earlier in the 2021 elections after benefiting from both LAPS training and the Leadership Mentorship Program (LMP) ; told us that Odette’s home was troubled by a long-lasting conflict ; but in collaboration with her network, Inshuti Z’Umuryango (IZU), and community elders ; they visited and advised them (often) until her husband changed completely after many years ! I am glad that this family is living in harmony and free from violence. S

On top of Odette’s situation, this young couple of Jean de Dieu and Marie Alice got married at an early age and unexpectedly started having conflicts in their relationship due to poor communication and lack of marriage advisory ! Marie Alice says that because of her husband’s bad behavior including drunkenness, she always accused him of adultery, and he was neglecting to take care of their 4 children. In order to revenge on this issue, Marie Alice became a high-level alcoholic drinker, and her physical appearance turned bad until no one respected her ! With the help of champions ; things changed to the extent that Jean de Dieu started providing food, clothes, health insurance and etc. to the family members. Both of them emphasized that lack of communication is the beginning of their marriage destruction.

These discussions within the family sometimes would cause children to see their parents’ emotions which can affect them in one way or another. That was the reason why the champions thought about seeking another place as an area to settle these family conflicts ; fortunately, they got an empty house and it is considered as “a Peace Room”. Until now, more than 15 families have already been assisted.

This activity and others made this Kabuga village the first among 34 villages and won an award of 180,000 Rwf . At present, the village is leading (on top) in bringing back children to schools, paying health insurance, fighting against drugs among youths, etc.