Telling the ECSA Story

Daniel and Uzamukunda Jacquelin riding the bicycle together. CARE Rwanda In 1997, Muhawenimana Daniel and Uzamukunda Jacqueline embarked on a daunting journey of marriage that was extremely difficult and full of challenges that put a lot of strain on their well-being and family life. Their home environment was toxic due to harmful cultural traditions and gender norms. Daniel, influenced by societal expectations, believed he should have complete authority over all household decisions, finances, and property management. This power imbalance led to a lack of communication, and understanding, and went as far as leading Daniel into intimate partner violence. Financial mismanagement exacerbated their problems, compounded by Daniel's excessive drinking. Influenced by destructive impulses from his paternal family, he engaged in polygamous relationships, neglecting his responsibilities to provide for his family. Jacqueline was left struggling to afford basic needs such as their children...

  Jeanine and her husband laughting Jeanine   lives with her husband and children in Buhombo , North Kivu, Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). She is a mother of 12 children, the oldest being 22 years of age and the youngest 1-year-old. Jeanine farms and sells Irish Potatoes & beans in her neighborhood and Goma city.      BEFORE MAWE TATU     “To have 12 children wasn’t neither a plan nor a business. It was simply an accident because we didn’t have contraceptives for family planning... We did not know where to find contraceptives and if we knew where [they were], we could have planned.”     Jeanine farming in her land Jeanine and her husband did not plan to have 12 children. They grew increasingly tired of expanding their family as poverty began to take a toll on their family. “My husband and I gave birth without no break in-between. We were asking ourselves where to find help because the situation has brought us poverty,” said Jeanie. Be...