<script data-pm-proxy="intercept"></script><?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0" xmlns:itunes="http://www.itunes.com/dtds/podcast-1.0.dtd" xmlns:googleplay="http://www.google.com/schemas/play-podcasts/1.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Women GAIN Rwanda]]></title><description><![CDATA[Stories from our team at Women GAIN in Rwanda and Global GAIN. We are a Rwandan NGO formed and led by young Rwandan women. We focus on inspiring activism, political leadership, policy advocacy, civic engagement, and support for the SDGs & gender equality.]]></description><link>https://womengain.substack.com</link><image><url>https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!-HYh!,w_256,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F8dcebd49-7526-40fb-8d80-736519cb6ad8_500x500.png</url><title>Women GAIN Rwanda</title><link>https://womengain.substack.com</link></image><generator>Substack</generator><lastBuildDate>Tue, 01 Sep 2026 16:26:25 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="/__u/womengain.substack.com/feed" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><copyright><![CDATA[Women GAIN]]></copyright><language><![CDATA[en]]></language><webMaster><![CDATA[womengain@substack.com]]></webMaster><itunes:owner><itunes:email><![CDATA[womengain@substack.com]]></itunes:email><itunes:name><![CDATA[Global GAIN]]></itunes:name></itunes:owner><itunes:author><![CDATA[Global GAIN]]></itunes:author><googleplay:owner><![CDATA[womengain@substack.com]]></googleplay:owner><googleplay:email><![CDATA[womengain@substack.com]]></googleplay:email><googleplay:author><![CDATA[Global GAIN]]></googleplay:author><itunes:block><![CDATA[Yes]]></itunes:block><item><title><![CDATA[From Washing Clothes to Making Them: Shadia’s Story]]></title><description><![CDATA[Watch Shadia share, in her own words, how tailoring skills have changed her life.]]></description><link>https://womengain.substack.com/p/from-washing-clothes-to-making-them</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://womengain.substack.com/p/from-washing-clothes-to-making-them</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Hyacinthe Mizero]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 12 Aug 2026 08:15:27 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!H5ia!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fdc1fd363-c952-4e6a-8231-5781372d94b2_1200x1200.png" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="native-video-embed" data-component-name="VideoPlaceholder" data-attrs="{&quot;mediaUploadId&quot;:&quot;6a6cfba2-16d1-45e7-9b7c-dc656b8aa2f6&quot;,&quot;duration&quot;:null}"></div><p><a href="https://www.womengain.org/">Learn more about Women GAIN Rwanda</a></p><p><span>Before learning to tailor, Shadia Umutoni earned money by washing clothes for others. It was one of the ways she could support herself and contribute to her family, but she wanted to learn a skill that could give her more opportunities and a more sustainable source of income.</span></p><p><span>Through Women GAIN Rwanda&#8217;s tailoring training, Shadia learned how to sew.</span></p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!H5ia!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fdc1fd363-c952-4e6a-8231-5781372d94b2_1200x1200.png" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!H5ia!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_424, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fdc1fd363-c952-4e6a-8231-5781372d94b2_1200x1200.png 424w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!H5ia!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_848, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fdc1fd363-c952-4e6a-8231-5781372d94b2_1200x1200.png 848w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!H5ia!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1272, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fdc1fd363-c952-4e6a-8231-5781372d94b2_1200x1200.png 1272w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!H5ia!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1456, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fdc1fd363-c952-4e6a-8231-5781372d94b2_1200x1200.png 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!H5ia!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fdc1fd363-c952-4e6a-8231-5781372d94b2_1200x1200.png" width="1200" height="1200" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/dc1fd363-c952-4e6a-8231-5781372d94b2_1200x1200.png&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:1200,&quot;width&quot;:1200,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:1708935,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/png&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://womengain.substack.com/i/210700717?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fdc1fd363-c952-4e6a-8231-5781372d94b2_1200x1200.png&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!H5ia!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_424, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fdc1fd363-c952-4e6a-8231-5781372d94b2_1200x1200.png 424w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!H5ia!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_848, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fdc1fd363-c952-4e6a-8231-5781372d94b2_1200x1200.png 848w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!H5ia!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1272, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fdc1fd363-c952-4e6a-8231-5781372d94b2_1200x1200.png 1272w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!H5ia!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1456, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fdc1fd363-c952-4e6a-8231-5781372d94b2_1200x1200.png 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg aria-hidden="true" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p></p><p><span>Today, she can make dresses, uniforms, and other clothing items. More importantly, she can use the skill she acquired to earn an income. For Shadia, tailoring is no longer just a skill she learned. It has become a way to create opportunities for herself and support her family.</span></p><p><span>But there is still a challenge. Shadia does not have reliable access to a sewing machine or a dedicated place to sit and work, and she is not alone; many young women who acquire tailoring skills face the same challenge. They have the talent and the willingness to work, but lack the equipment and safe, dedicated space needed to turn those skills into a consistent income.</span></p><h3><strong><span>This is why we are building Gira Inganzo.</span></strong></h3><p>The <strong>Gira Inganzo Women&#8217;s Fashion &amp; Tailoring <span>Centre</span></strong><span>&nbsp;is our effort to create a dedicated space where young women like Shadia can continue to develop their skills, access sewing equipment, produce products, and turn their talents into sustainable livelihoods. We believe training should not end when a woman receives her certificate.</span></p><p><strong><span>She should have somewhere to practice.<br>She should have access to the tools she needs.<br>She should have an opportunity to earn from what she has learned.</span></strong></p><p><span>Shadia has already shown what is possible when a young woman is given a skill. Now, we want to help create the conditions for that skill to become a sustainable opportunity.</span></p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/gira-inganzo-empowering-women-through-tailoring&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Donate Today&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/gira-inganzo-empowering-women-through-tailoring"><span>Donate Today</span></a></p><h3><strong><span>You can help us make this possible.</span></strong></h3><p><span>A contribution of </span><strong><span>$10, $20, $50, $100 or more</span></strong><span> can help us equip and develop the Gira Inganzo Women&#8217;s Fashion &amp; Tailoring Center and provide young women with the space and materials they need to work.</span></p><p><span>Your </span><a href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/gira-inganzo-empowering-women-through-tailoring"><span>support</span></a><span> can help transform a skill into an income, and an income into greater stability for a woman and her family.</span></p><p><span>Shadia has the skill. She needs the opportunity to use it. If you believe that young women deserve the chance to build their own livelihoods, we invite you to stand with us.</span></p><p><strong><span>Support the Gira Inganzo Women&#8217;s Fashion &amp; Tailoring Center today.</span></strong></p><p><span>You and I can create a place where young women don&#8217;t just learn a skill but use it to build a future.</span></p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://womengain.substack.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">Women GAIN Rwanda is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Gira Inganzo: A Place to Create, Learn, and Grow]]></title><description><![CDATA[Today, we are proud to launch the Gira Inganzo Women's Fashion & Tailoring Center Fundraising Campaign.]]></description><link>https://womengain.substack.com/p/gira-inganzo-a-place-to-create-learn</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://womengain.substack.com/p/gira-inganzo-a-place-to-create-learn</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Hyacinthe Mizero]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 27 Jul 2026 19:14:57 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!j_z-!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0bb3ab39-bf04-46f8-935b-d2bd6c7cbf54_1200x1200.png" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://www.womengain.org/copy-of-digital-transformation" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!j_z-!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_424, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0bb3ab39-bf04-46f8-935b-d2bd6c7cbf54_1200x1200.png 424w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!j_z-!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_848, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0bb3ab39-bf04-46f8-935b-d2bd6c7cbf54_1200x1200.png 848w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!j_z-!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1272, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0bb3ab39-bf04-46f8-935b-d2bd6c7cbf54_1200x1200.png 1272w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!j_z-!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1456, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0bb3ab39-bf04-46f8-935b-d2bd6c7cbf54_1200x1200.png 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!j_z-!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0bb3ab39-bf04-46f8-935b-d2bd6c7cbf54_1200x1200.png" width="1200" height="1200" 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/__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0bb3ab39-bf04-46f8-935b-d2bd6c7cbf54_1200x1200.png 1272w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!j_z-!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1456, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0bb3ab39-bf04-46f8-935b-d2bd6c7cbf54_1200x1200.png 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg aria-hidden="true" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p><span>Over the past few years, we have worked alongside young women and teen mothers who wanted the opportunity to learn a skill, support themselves, and build a better future. Through Gira Inganzo, we have trained 35 young women and teen mothers in tailoring, and we have seen how learning a practical skill can restore confidence and open new opportunities.</span></p><p><span>As we prepared for the next phase of this journey, we spent time thinking about the name Gira Inganzo and what it represents.</span></p><h2><strong><span>Why &#8220;Gira Inganzo&#8221;?</span></strong></h2><p><span>In Kinyarwanda, </span><strong><span>Gira Inganzo</span></strong><span> means </span><strong><span>&#8220;Be Creative.&#8221;</span></strong></p><p><span>For us, creativity is not only about making clothes. It is about giving women the freedom to express their ideas, talents, and even their experiences through their creations.</span></p><p><span>A piece of fabric can become a school uniform, a dress, or a business opportunity. Behind every garment is someone who imagined it, designed it, and made it with their own hands. That is the kind of creativity we want to encourage.</span></p><p><span>We want women to discover their talents, express themselves with confidence, and use those skills to improve their lives and support their families.</span></p><h2><strong><span>Why a Fashion &amp; Tailoring Center?</span></strong></h2><p><span>Our experience has shown us that short-term training is an important first step, but many women need continued access to learning, practical experience, and opportunities to keep growing.</span></p><p><span>That is why we are working toward establishing the </span><strong><span>Gira Inganzo Women&#8217;s Fashion &amp; Tailoring Center</span></strong><span>.</span></p><p><span>We envision a place where women can continue developing their tailoring skills, gain hands-on experience, create quality products, and prepare for sustainable employment or entrepreneurship.</span></p><p><span>More importantly, we hope it will become a place where women encourage one another, build confidence, and discover what they are capable of achieving.</span></p><h2>How You Can Help</h2><p>Building this vision is only possible with people who believe in the potential of young women. Your support, no matter the amount, helps provide the tools, materials, and space they need to learn and grow.</p><ul><li><p><strong>Your $5</strong> can buy sewing thread for one woman during her training.</p></li><li><p><strong>Your $10</strong> can buy fabric for one woman to practice and create her first garment.</p></li><li><p><strong>Your $50</strong> can provide essential tailoring tools and learning materials for a trainee.</p></li><li><p><strong>Your $350</strong> can help secure our training space for one month, allowing young women and teen mothers to continue learning in a safe and supportive environment.</p></li></ul><p>Whether you give <strong>$5, $10, or more</strong>, you are giving more than materials; you are giving a woman the opportunity to learn a skill, earn an income, and believe in her potential. If you are unable to give today, sharing our campaign with your friends, family, and network is another meaningful way to support our mission.</p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/gira-inganzo-empowering-women-through-tailoring&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Donate today&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/gira-inganzo-empowering-women-through-tailoring"><span>Donate today</span></a></p><h2><strong><span>An Invitation to Join Us</span></strong></h2><p><span>Today, we invite you to be part of this journey.</span></p><p><span>By supporting this campaign, sharing our story, or introducing us to others who believe in women&#8217;s economic empowerment, you are helping create opportunities for more young women and teen mothers.</span></p><p><span>Thank you for believing in our work and for walking this journey with us.</span></p><p><span>Together, we can help more women </span><strong><span>&#8212; Gira Inganzo</span></strong><span>&#8212;be creative, express themselves, and build a future through the work of their own hands.</span></p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://womengain.substack.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">Women GAIN Rwanda is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Future We Are Stitching Together]]></title><description><![CDATA["Every great journey begins with a single stitch."]]></description><link>https://womengain.substack.com/p/the-future-we-are-stitching-together</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://womengain.substack.com/p/the-future-we-are-stitching-together</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Hyacinthe Mizero]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 24 Jul 2026 15:16:29 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!fEYJ!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F754ae15f-35f4-4ec0-84c9-a1eb1dce753a_2000x2000.png" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://www.womengain.org/" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!fEYJ!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_424, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F754ae15f-35f4-4ec0-84c9-a1eb1dce753a_2000x2000.png 424w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!fEYJ!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_848, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F754ae15f-35f4-4ec0-84c9-a1eb1dce753a_2000x2000.png 848w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!fEYJ!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1272, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F754ae15f-35f4-4ec0-84c9-a1eb1dce753a_2000x2000.png 1272w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!fEYJ!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1456, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F754ae15f-35f4-4ec0-84c9-a1eb1dce753a_2000x2000.png 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!fEYJ!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F754ae15f-35f4-4ec0-84c9-a1eb1dce753a_2000x2000.png" width="1456" height="1456" 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/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!fEYJ!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1456, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F754ae15f-35f4-4ec0-84c9-a1eb1dce753a_2000x2000.png 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg aria-hidden="true" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p></p><h2><strong><span>A New Chapter Begins</span></strong></h2><p><span>Two days from now, we will begin a new chapter. It is a chapter shaped by years of learning, listening, and walking alongside young women who simply needed one opportunity to change the direction of their lives. Long before we imagined launching a fundraising campaign, we met young women and teen mothers with remarkable resilience. They had dreams, creativity, and determination, but many lacked access to the skills, resources, and opportunities needed to build sustainable livelihoods. It was through these experiences that our journey with </span><strong><span>Gira Inganzo</span></strong><span> began.</span></p><div class="image-gallery-embed" data-attrs="{&quot;gallery&quot;:{&quot;images&quot;:[{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/png&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/a7449bc9-28ca-4ccb-ba4b-5e8df4d34e2e_1030x1080.png&quot;}],&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;staticGalleryImage&quot;:{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/png&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/a7449bc9-28ca-4ccb-ba4b-5e8df4d34e2e_1030x1080.png&quot;}},&quot;isEditorNode&quot;:true}"></div><h2><strong><span>Looking Back at the Journey</span></strong></h2><p><span>Over the past few years, we have equipped </span><strong><span>35 teen mothers and young women</span></strong><span> with practical tailoring skills. Along the way, we have celebrated first stitches, first finished garments, and first moments of believing, </span><em><span>&#8220;I can do this.&#8221;</span></em><span> While tailoring was the skill being taught, confidence was often the first thing to grow. We have seen women discover new possibilities for themselves, support their families, and begin rebuilding their futures with dignity and hope.</span></p><p><span>As we reflected on these experiences, we realized something important. Thirty-five women is a meaningful beginning, but it is not enough.</span></p><h2><strong><span>Why This Vision Matters</span></strong></h2><p><span>Across Rwanda, many more young women and vulnerable mothers are still waiting for the opportunity to learn a skill, earn an income, and create a better future for themselves and their families. That is why we are preparing to establish the </span><strong><span>Gira Inganzo Women&#8217;s Fashion &amp; Tailoring Center</span></strong><span>. In this place, women can continue developing professional tailoring skills, gain practical experience, and build sustainable livelihoods.</span></p><p><span>This vision is about much more than sewing. It is about creating opportunities where women can discover their potential, earn with dignity, and become agents of change in their own communities.</span></p><h2><strong><span>The Next Step</span></strong></h2><p><span>In just two days, we will officially launch our </span><strong><span>Gira Inganzo Women&#8217;s Fashion &amp; Tailoring Center Fundraising Campaign</span></strong><span>. This campaign is not simply about raising funds; it is about inviting people who believe that every woman deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive.</span></p><p><span>Whether you choose to donate, share our story, introduce us to a potential partner, or follow our journey, you become part of something much bigger than a campaign.</span></p><p><span>Thank you for walking this journey with us. We can&#8217;t wait to share what comes next because every stitch tells a story, and by joining hands, we can help write many more.</span></p><p></p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://womengain.substack.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">Women GAIN Rwanda is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[From Learning Digital Skills to Landing My Dream Opportunity]]></title><description><![CDATA["The opportunity to develop my digital skills I was given became the opportunity that changed my life." Alier Niwemungeri said]]></description><link>https://womengain.substack.com/p/from-learning-digital-skills-to-landing</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://womengain.substack.com/p/from-learning-digital-skills-to-landing</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Hyacinthe Mizero]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 17 Jul 2026 12:40:58 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!xPBR!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fff47eb03-bf9a-4ee3-a5a2-1ee22d83b9cd_2000x2000.png" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!xPBR!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fff47eb03-bf9a-4ee3-a5a2-1ee22d83b9cd_2000x2000.png" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!xPBR!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_424, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fff47eb03-bf9a-4ee3-a5a2-1ee22d83b9cd_2000x2000.png 424w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!xPBR!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_848, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fff47eb03-bf9a-4ee3-a5a2-1ee22d83b9cd_2000x2000.png 848w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!xPBR!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1272, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, 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/__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fff47eb03-bf9a-4ee3-a5a2-1ee22d83b9cd_2000x2000.png 424w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!xPBR!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_848, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fff47eb03-bf9a-4ee3-a5a2-1ee22d83b9cd_2000x2000.png 848w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!xPBR!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1272, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fff47eb03-bf9a-4ee3-a5a2-1ee22d83b9cd_2000x2000.png 1272w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!xPBR!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1456, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fff47eb03-bf9a-4ee3-a5a2-1ee22d83b9cd_2000x2000.png 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg aria-hidden="true" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/women-gain&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Support Women GAIN Rwanda&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/women-gain"><span>Support Women GAIN Rwanda</span></a></p><p></p><p><span>A few months ago, I shared my story, </span><em><span>From Doubt to Digital Confidence</span></em><span>. In that story, I talked about how joining the Intwari Women Digital Training Program helped me overcome my fear of technology and gave me the confidence to learn digital skills. At the time, I thought that was the biggest achievement in my journey. I did not know it was only the beginning.</span></p><p><span>When I joined this program as part of Cohort One, I just wanted to learn something new. I wanted to improve myself and gain skills that could help me in the future. I never imagined that those same skills would one day help me get my dream job.</span></p><h2><strong>Building My Confidence </strong></h2><p><span>The training was not only about learning digital tools. It also changed the way I looked at myself. Every session taught me something new and encouraged me to keep trying, even when something felt difficult. Little by little, I became more confident. I stopped being afraid of making mistakes because I knew every mistake helped me learn.</span></p><p><span>One of the tools I enjoyed learning the most was Canva. Before joining the program, I knew very little about it. At first, I found it challenging, but the more I practiced, the easier it became. I started enjoying designing, and I realised that Canva is a useful skill that many employers look for. At that time, I had no idea that learning Canva would later help me during a job interview.</span></p><p><span>When I completed the training and received my certificate, I felt proud of myself. It was more than just a certificate. It reminded me of all the time and effort I had put into learning something new. It also reminded me that when we stay committed, good things can happen.</span></p><div class="image-gallery-embed" data-attrs="{&quot;gallery&quot;:{&quot;images&quot;:[{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/f3a103f3-1cce-4d0a-ace5-00411dba5af4_1920x2560.jpeg&quot;},{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/0c5e21c6-fc4c-4164-89ff-2e07f988c607_1920x2560.jpeg&quot;},{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/d98dfb33-eee6-43b0-a834-0edbe1ab088c_2560x1920.jpeg&quot;}],&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;Alier's pictures during digital training at women GAIN Rwanda&quot;,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;staticGalleryImage&quot;:{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/png&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/aec2779d-6132-4caa-99da-731ae5791f16_1456x474.png&quot;}},&quot;isEditorNode&quot;:true}"></div><h2><strong>When Opportunity Knocked</strong></h2><p><span><br>After completing the program, I was happy to be selected for the Intwari Women Digital Apprenticeship. The apprenticeship gave me another chance to learn, meet amazing women, and continue growing. Every session taught me something valuable, and every conversation encouraged me to believe in myself even more.</span></p><p><span>While I was still attending the apprenticeship, I decided to apply for a job. Like many young people looking for work, I was excited but also nervous. I knew I had to do my best, and I hoped everything would go well.</span></p><p><span>During the recruitment test, I was given several practical tasks. One of them required me to use Canva.</span></p><p><span>The moment I saw the task, I smiled.</span></p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!BRzd!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa5a4fd31-8b98-42c7-aae8-742c7df7a2d7_4000x3000.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!BRzd!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_424, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa5a4fd31-8b98-42c7-aae8-742c7df7a2d7_4000x3000.jpeg 424w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!BRzd!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_848, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa5a4fd31-8b98-42c7-aae8-742c7df7a2d7_4000x3000.jpeg 848w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!BRzd!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1272, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa5a4fd31-8b98-42c7-aae8-742c7df7a2d7_4000x3000.jpeg 1272w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!BRzd!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1456, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa5a4fd31-8b98-42c7-aae8-742c7df7a2d7_4000x3000.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!BRzd!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa5a4fd31-8b98-42c7-aae8-742c7df7a2d7_4000x3000.jpeg" width="1456" height="1941" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/a5a4fd31-8b98-42c7-aae8-742c7df7a2d7_4000x3000.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:1941,&quot;width&quot;:1456,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:8681747,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://womengain.substack.com/i/207254540?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa5a4fd31-8b98-42c7-aae8-742c7df7a2d7_4000x3000.jpeg&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!BRzd!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_424, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa5a4fd31-8b98-42c7-aae8-742c7df7a2d7_4000x3000.jpeg 424w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!BRzd!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_848, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa5a4fd31-8b98-42c7-aae8-742c7df7a2d7_4000x3000.jpeg 848w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!BRzd!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1272, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa5a4fd31-8b98-42c7-aae8-742c7df7a2d7_4000x3000.jpeg 1272w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!BRzd!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1456, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa5a4fd31-8b98-42c7-aae8-742c7df7a2d7_4000x3000.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" loading="lazy"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg aria-hidden="true" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a><figcaption class="image-caption">Alier&#8217;s picture at the new workplace</figcaption></figure></div><p><span>I remembered everything I had learned during the Intwari Women Digital Training Program. Instead of feeling scared, I felt confident because I had practised those skills many times. I knew what to do, and I completed the task with confidence.</span></p><p><span>That was the moment I realized how important the training had been.</span></p><p><span>The time I spent learning was not only helping me pass a test. It was preparing me for a real opportunity. Without even knowing it, I had been preparing for that day all along.</span></p><p><span>A few days later, I received the news that I had been selected for the job.</span></p><p><span>I was so happy.</span></p><p><span>I could not stop smiling.</span></p><p><span>As I looked back on my journey, everything made sense. I had joined the digital skills program because I wanted to learn. I completed the training, joined the apprenticeship, and then used those same skills during the recruitment process. Every step has helped me get where I am today.</span></p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!JZg0!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2faa19c2-d316-4419-8fe9-cc079442bc0a_2560x1920.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!JZg0!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_424, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2faa19c2-d316-4419-8fe9-cc079442bc0a_2560x1920.jpeg 424w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!JZg0!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_848, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2faa19c2-d316-4419-8fe9-cc079442bc0a_2560x1920.jpeg 848w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!JZg0!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1272, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2faa19c2-d316-4419-8fe9-cc079442bc0a_2560x1920.jpeg 1272w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!JZg0!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1456, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2faa19c2-d316-4419-8fe9-cc079442bc0a_2560x1920.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!JZg0!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2faa19c2-d316-4419-8fe9-cc079442bc0a_2560x1920.jpeg" width="1456" height="1092" 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/__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2faa19c2-d316-4419-8fe9-cc079442bc0a_2560x1920.jpeg 424w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!JZg0!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_848, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2faa19c2-d316-4419-8fe9-cc079442bc0a_2560x1920.jpeg 848w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!JZg0!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1272, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2faa19c2-d316-4419-8fe9-cc079442bc0a_2560x1920.jpeg 1272w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!JZg0!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1456, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2faa19c2-d316-4419-8fe9-cc079442bc0a_2560x1920.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" loading="lazy"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg aria-hidden="true" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a><figcaption class="image-caption">Intwari Women Digital Cohort One Graduates</figcaption></figure></div><p></p><h2>Looking Back and Looking Forward</h2><p><span>Today, I use the digital skills I learned through the Intwari Women Digital Training Program in my work every day while I continue with my apprenticeship. The program gave me digital skills, but it also gave me something even more important. It gave me confidence. It taught me to believe in myself and reminded me that I can achieve more than I once thought.</span></p><p><span>When I think about my journey, I know I am not the only young woman who can benefit from opportunities like this. There are so many young women with dreams and talents. They are willing to learn and work hard. Sometimes, all they need is someone to believe in them and give them a chance.</span></p><p><span>I am truly thankful that Women GAIN Rwanda believed in me. Through the Intwari Women  Digital Training Program and the apprenticeship, I had the opportunity to learn, grow, and prepare for my future. Those opportunities have already changed my life, and I believe they can change the lives of many other young women, too.</span></p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/women-gain&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Support our work&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/women-gain"><span>Support our work</span></a></p><h2>Help Another Young Woman Succeed</h2><p><span>If my story has touched you, I kindly ask you to </span><a href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/women-gain"><span>support </span></a><span>Women GAIN Rwanda. Your donation, no matter how small, can help another young woman receive digital skills training, mentorship, and opportunities that could change her life. It could help her find a job, start a business, continue her education, or become a leader in her community.</span></p><p><span>When you support Women GAIN Rwanda, you are doing more than donating. You are giving another young woman the chance to learn, grow, and believe in herself. You are helping her build a better future, just as someone helped me build mine.</span></p><p><span>I will always be grateful for the opportunity I received, and I hope many more young women will have the same chance. Together, we can help more young women discover their potential, follow their dreams, and create a brighter future for themselves and their communities.</span></p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://womengain.substack.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">Women GAIN Rwanda is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Reflecting on Our First Month of Apprenticeship: Learning, Growth, and Moving Forward Together ]]></title><description><![CDATA[From learning and reflection to action and impact: celebrating the first month of our apprenticeship journey and the relationships that make growth possible.]]></description><link>https://womengain.substack.com/p/reflecting-on-our-first-month-of</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://womengain.substack.com/p/reflecting-on-our-first-month-of</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Hyacinthe Mizero]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 19 Jun 2026 13:50:17 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!VaK9!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Feeb72e05-7b4e-4cbe-8b65-279748b7e684_1600x800.jpeg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://www.womengain.org/" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!VaK9!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_424, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Feeb72e05-7b4e-4cbe-8b65-279748b7e684_1600x800.jpeg 424w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!VaK9!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_848, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Feeb72e05-7b4e-4cbe-8b65-279748b7e684_1600x800.jpeg 848w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!VaK9!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1272, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Feeb72e05-7b4e-4cbe-8b65-279748b7e684_1600x800.jpeg 1272w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!VaK9!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1456, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Feeb72e05-7b4e-4cbe-8b65-279748b7e684_1600x800.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!VaK9!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Feeb72e05-7b4e-4cbe-8b65-279748b7e684_1600x800.jpeg" width="1456" height="728" 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/__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Feeb72e05-7b4e-4cbe-8b65-279748b7e684_1600x800.jpeg 424w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!VaK9!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_848, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Feeb72e05-7b4e-4cbe-8b65-279748b7e684_1600x800.jpeg 848w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!VaK9!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1272, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Feeb72e05-7b4e-4cbe-8b65-279748b7e684_1600x800.jpeg 1272w, 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6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/women-gain&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Support our work&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/women-gain"><span>Support our work</span></a></p><p><span>Yesterday, we had the opportunity to meet in person with our apprentice as we closed the first month of the apprenticeship journey at Women GAIN Rwanda. It was a meaningful moment to pause, reflect, and evaluate our progress together.</span></p><p><span>Over the past month, our focus was largely on learning: understanding the organization, building relationships, exploring ideas, and gaining practical knowledge. During our reflection session, we discussed what worked well, areas for improvement, the challenges we encountered, and the lessons we learned along the way. Most importantly, we explored how we can strengthen our collaboration and maximize the impact of the apprenticeship experience moving forward.</span></p><h2><strong><span>From Learning to Action</span></strong></h2><p><span>As we enter the next phase of the program, we agreed to shift from learning alone to putting that learning into practice. The knowledge, skills, and insights gained during the first month will now guide us as we work together to contribute more actively to Women GAIN Rwanda's mission.</span></p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!5D0H!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe34565f3-2896-4f1b-ba97-f0e89dbc96d3_810x1080.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!5D0H!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_424, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe34565f3-2896-4f1b-ba97-f0e89dbc96d3_810x1080.jpeg 424w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!5D0H!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_848, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe34565f3-2896-4f1b-ba97-f0e89dbc96d3_810x1080.jpeg 848w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!5D0H!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1272, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe34565f3-2896-4f1b-ba97-f0e89dbc96d3_810x1080.jpeg 1272w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!5D0H!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1456, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, 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/__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe34565f3-2896-4f1b-ba97-f0e89dbc96d3_810x1080.jpeg 424w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!5D0H!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_848, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe34565f3-2896-4f1b-ba97-f0e89dbc96d3_810x1080.jpeg 848w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!5D0H!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1272, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe34565f3-2896-4f1b-ba97-f0e89dbc96d3_810x1080.jpeg 1272w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!5D0H!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1456, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe34565f3-2896-4f1b-ba97-f0e89dbc96d3_810x1080.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg aria-hidden="true" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a><figcaption class="image-caption">Women GAIN Rwanda&#8217;s apprentices and team with our advisor, Kim Mutesi</figcaption></figure></div><h2><strong><span>The Power of Connection and Shared Experiences</span></strong></h2><p><span>Beyond the discussions and planning, the day was also an opportunity to connect on a personal level. Sharing meals, exchanging experiences, and spending time together reminded us that meaningful work is built on strong relationships. It was also a blessing to connect with our advisor, Kim, whose guidance, encouragement, and insights continue to support our growth and strengthen our journey. It was exciting to sit together, work together, and openly share ideas about the future we are building for the young women and communities we serve.</span></p><p><span>Moments like these strengthen the importance of mentorship, collaboration, and continuous learning. They remind us that growth happens not only through training and workshops but also through conversations, reflection, and shared experiences.</span></p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/women-gain&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Donate Today&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/women-gain"><span>Donate Today</span></a></p><h2><strong><span>Moving Forward Together</span></strong></h2><p><span>As we move forward, we remain committed to creating opportunities for learning, leadership, and empowerment for women and girls. We are grateful to everyone who continues to support Women GAIN Rwanda: Our partners, mentors, supporters, volunteers, and community members. Your encouragement, trust, and contributions make this work possible.</span></p><p><span>Thank you for believing in our mission and walking this journey with us. We encourage you to continue supporting Women GAIN Rwanda as we work together to empower more women, create growth opportunities, and build stronger communities. Every contribution, partnership, and act of support helps us reach and impact even more women across Rwanda.</span></p><p><span>Together, we can continue creating a future where women and girls have the knowledge, confidence, and opportunities they need to thrive.</span></p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://womengain.substack.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">Women GAIN Rwanda is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Strengthening Professional Communication and Fundraising Skills]]></title><description><![CDATA[Exploring Email Communication and Zeffy]]></description><link>https://womengain.substack.com/p/strengthening-professional-communication</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://womengain.substack.com/p/strengthening-professional-communication</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Rosette Tuyisenge]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 09 Jun 2026 14:46:18 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!wIY8!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe756b403-4653-49cf-9206-a0abfc1ae83d_6912x3456.png" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://www.womengain.org/" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!wIY8!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_424, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe756b403-4653-49cf-9206-a0abfc1ae83d_6912x3456.png 424w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!wIY8!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_848, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe756b403-4653-49cf-9206-a0abfc1ae83d_6912x3456.png 848w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!wIY8!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1272, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe756b403-4653-49cf-9206-a0abfc1ae83d_6912x3456.png 1272w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!wIY8!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1456, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe756b403-4653-49cf-9206-a0abfc1ae83d_6912x3456.png 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!wIY8!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe756b403-4653-49cf-9206-a0abfc1ae83d_6912x3456.png" width="1456" height="728" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/e756b403-4653-49cf-9206-a0abfc1ae83d_6912x3456.png&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:728,&quot;width&quot;:1456,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:7304487,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/png&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:&quot;https://www.womengain.org/&quot;,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://womengain.substack.com/i/201259120?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe756b403-4653-49cf-9206-a0abfc1ae83d_6912x3456.png&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!wIY8!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_424, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe756b403-4653-49cf-9206-a0abfc1ae83d_6912x3456.png 424w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!wIY8!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_848, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe756b403-4653-49cf-9206-a0abfc1ae83d_6912x3456.png 848w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!wIY8!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1272, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe756b403-4653-49cf-9206-a0abfc1ae83d_6912x3456.png 1272w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!wIY8!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1456, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe756b403-4653-49cf-9206-a0abfc1ae83d_6912x3456.png 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg aria-hidden="true" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p></p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/women-gain&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Support Our Work&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/women-gain"><span>Support Our Work</span></a></p><p>We believe that digital empowerment goes beyond technical skills. It also includes the ability to communicate professionally, build meaningful relationships, and leverage digital tools to create opportunities and drive impact. As part of the Intwari Women Digital Apprenticeship Program, our apprentices continue to gain practical skills that prepare them for both professional and community leadership roles.</p><p>Yesterday, apprentices engaged in an insightful session focused on <strong>Email Communication</strong> and <strong>Learning Zeffy</strong>, two important tools that can support professional growth, organisational effectiveness, and fundraising efforts.</p><h4>The Importance of Professional Email Communication</h4><p>In today&#8217;s digital world, email remains one of the most widely used forms of professional communication. Whether applying for jobs, communicating with colleagues, engaging with partners, or networking with professionals, the ability to write clear and professional emails is an essential skill.</p><p>During the session, apprentices learned the fundamentals of effective email communication, including:</p><ul><li><p>Writing professional email subject lines</p></li><li><p>Structuring emails clearly and professionally</p></li><li><p>Maintaining appropriate tone and etiquette</p></li><li><p>Communicating effectively with colleagues, partners, and stakeholders</p></li><li><p>Responding to emails in a timely and professional manner</p></li><li><p>Avoiding common email communication mistakes</p></li></ul><p>The session emphasised that strong communication skills are critical for building credibility, establishing professional relationships, and accessing opportunities in today&#8217;s workforce.</p><h4>Learning Zeffy: A Tool for Fundraising and Community Impact</h4><p>The second part of the session introduced apprentices to <strong>Zeffy</strong>, a platform that supports nonprofit organisations in fundraising, donor engagement, and event management.</p><p>Participants learned how organisations can use Zeffy to:</p><ul><li><p>Create fundraising campaigns</p></li><li><p>Accept online donations</p></li><li><p>Manage events and registrations</p></li><li><p>Engage supporters and donors</p></li><li><p>Track fundraising efforts</p></li><li><p>Support community initiatives through digital fundraising.</p></li></ul><p>For many apprentices, this was their first introduction to a fundraising platform designed specifically for nonprofit organisations. The session provided valuable insights into how technology can be used to mobilise resources and support meaningful social impact initiatives.</p><p>As future leaders and changemakers, understanding how organisations raise money is an important skill that can help apprentices contribute to sustainable community development efforts.</p><h4>Building Skills for the Future</h4><p>The combination of professional communication and fundraising knowledge reflects the broader goal of the Intwari Women Digital Apprenticeship Program: preparing young women with practical, relevant, and marketable skills that extend beyond the classroom.</p><p>By learning how to communicate professionally and utilise digital fundraising tools, apprentices are becoming more equipped to navigate professional environments, support nonprofit initiatives, and contribute to projects that create positive change.</p><p>These experiences continue to strengthen their confidence, digital literacy, and readiness for future opportunities.</p><h4>Thank You to Our Supporters</h4><p>We remain grateful to our partners, supporters, mentors, and community members who make these learning opportunities possible. Your <a href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/women-gain">support</a> allows young women to gain access to practical training, mentorship, and hands-on experiences that are shaping their futures.</p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/women-gain&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Donate Today&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/women-gain"><span>Donate Today</span></a></p><p>Every session contributes to building a generation of confident, skilled, and empowered women who are ready to lead, innovate, and make a difference in their communities.</p><p>Together, we are investing in women, strengthening communities, and creating lasting impact.</p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://womengain.substack.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">Women GAIN Rwanda is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div><p></p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Shaping Change Through Creativity]]></title><description><![CDATA[From Digital Learning to Creative Growth]]></description><link>https://womengain.substack.com/p/shaping-change-through-creativity</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://womengain.substack.com/p/shaping-change-through-creativity</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Flavia]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 05 Jun 2026 12:02:25 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!PuYD!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F514ae7e2-ddc4-442d-9060-956e480398d7_912x1168.jpeg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!PuYD!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F514ae7e2-ddc4-442d-9060-956e480398d7_912x1168.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!PuYD!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_424, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F514ae7e2-ddc4-442d-9060-956e480398d7_912x1168.jpeg 424w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!PuYD!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_848, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F514ae7e2-ddc4-442d-9060-956e480398d7_912x1168.jpeg 848w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!PuYD!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1272, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F514ae7e2-ddc4-442d-9060-956e480398d7_912x1168.jpeg 1272w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!PuYD!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1456, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F514ae7e2-ddc4-442d-9060-956e480398d7_912x1168.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!PuYD!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F514ae7e2-ddc4-442d-9060-956e480398d7_912x1168.jpeg" width="912" height="1168" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/514ae7e2-ddc4-442d-9060-956e480398d7_912x1168.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:1168,&quot;width&quot;:912,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:191579,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://womengain.substack.com/i/199474917?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F514ae7e2-ddc4-442d-9060-956e480398d7_912x1168.jpeg&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!PuYD!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_424, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F514ae7e2-ddc4-442d-9060-956e480398d7_912x1168.jpeg 424w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!PuYD!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_848, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F514ae7e2-ddc4-442d-9060-956e480398d7_912x1168.jpeg 848w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!PuYD!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1272, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F514ae7e2-ddc4-442d-9060-956e480398d7_912x1168.jpeg 1272w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!PuYD!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1456, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F514ae7e2-ddc4-442d-9060-956e480398d7_912x1168.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg aria-hidden="true" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p style="text-align: justify;">My name is Flavia Mukanshizirungu, and I am a final-year Creative Design student at the University of Rwanda. I am passionate about storytelling, design, communication, and creativity, and about using them to drive positive change in society.</p><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>My Personal Journey</strong></h3><p style="text-align: justify;">Growing up, I saw talented young people around me struggle because they lacked opportunities, mentorship, or access to digital skills that could help them move forward. Watching this made me realise how many dreams are limited not by lack of talent, but by a lack of support and exposure. At the same time, I also experienced moments where I questioned myself and wondered whether creativity could truly lead to meaningful impact and opportunities.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Through my studies in film, animation, illustration, graphic design, and web design, I have learned that stories have the power to educate, inspire, and give hope to people whose voices are not heard. Creativity, for me, is more than just producing visuals or designs. It is a way to express ideas, solve problems, and help people feel seen and understood.</p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Hj5c!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff273dd9c-6d25-42cc-b386-4250f67c8e1b_1530x1884.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Hj5c!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_424, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff273dd9c-6d25-42cc-b386-4250f67c8e1b_1530x1884.jpeg 424w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Hj5c!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_848, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff273dd9c-6d25-42cc-b386-4250f67c8e1b_1530x1884.jpeg 848w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Hj5c!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1272, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff273dd9c-6d25-42cc-b386-4250f67c8e1b_1530x1884.jpeg 1272w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Hj5c!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1456, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff273dd9c-6d25-42cc-b386-4250f67c8e1b_1530x1884.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Hj5c!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff273dd9c-6d25-42cc-b386-4250f67c8e1b_1530x1884.jpeg" width="1530" height="1884" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/f273dd9c-6d25-42cc-b386-4250f67c8e1b_1530x1884.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:1884,&quot;width&quot;:1530,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:469575,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Hj5c!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_424, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff273dd9c-6d25-42cc-b386-4250f67c8e1b_1530x1884.jpeg 424w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Hj5c!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_848, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff273dd9c-6d25-42cc-b386-4250f67c8e1b_1530x1884.jpeg 848w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Hj5c!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1272, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff273dd9c-6d25-42cc-b386-4250f67c8e1b_1530x1884.jpeg 1272w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Hj5c!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1456, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff273dd9c-6d25-42cc-b386-4250f67c8e1b_1530x1884.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg aria-hidden="true" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a><figcaption class="image-caption">Creating an animation as part of my class work on storytelling..</figcaption></figure></div><p style="text-align: justify;">There were times when I compared my journey to others and felt uncertain about my abilities or future. As a creative student, it is easy to feel pressure to constantly prove yourself or wonder if your ideas are good enough. However, those experiences taught me resilience and helped me understand that creativity is not just about art. It is about solving problems, connecting with people, telling important stories, and creating opportunities where none exist.</p><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>From Learning to New Opportunities</strong></h3><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!SNEd!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F3c04b2ac-ed56-4f1c-93cc-7681805d0075_6912x3456.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!SNEd!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_424, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F3c04b2ac-ed56-4f1c-93cc-7681805d0075_6912x3456.jpeg 424w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!SNEd!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_848, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F3c04b2ac-ed56-4f1c-93cc-7681805d0075_6912x3456.jpeg 848w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!SNEd!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1272, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F3c04b2ac-ed56-4f1c-93cc-7681805d0075_6912x3456.jpeg 1272w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!SNEd!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1456, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F3c04b2ac-ed56-4f1c-93cc-7681805d0075_6912x3456.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!SNEd!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F3c04b2ac-ed56-4f1c-93cc-7681805d0075_6912x3456.jpeg" width="1456" height="728" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/3c04b2ac-ed56-4f1c-93cc-7681805d0075_6912x3456.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:728,&quot;width&quot;:1456,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:2544305,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://womengain.substack.com/i/199474917?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F3c04b2ac-ed56-4f1c-93cc-7681805d0075_6912x3456.jpeg&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!SNEd!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_424, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F3c04b2ac-ed56-4f1c-93cc-7681805d0075_6912x3456.jpeg 424w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!SNEd!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_848, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F3c04b2ac-ed56-4f1c-93cc-7681805d0075_6912x3456.jpeg 848w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!SNEd!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1272, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F3c04b2ac-ed56-4f1c-93cc-7681805d0075_6912x3456.jpeg 1272w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!SNEd!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1456, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F3c04b2ac-ed56-4f1c-93cc-7681805d0075_6912x3456.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg aria-hidden="true" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a><figcaption class="image-caption">Intwari Women Digital Training session...</figcaption></figure></div><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/women-gain&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Support Women GAIN&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/women-gain"><span>Support Women GAIN</span></a></p><p style="text-align: justify;">I first learned about Women GAIN Rwanda through social media, where I saw an opportunity to apply for the Intwari Women Digital Program. I decided to apply, and I was selected to join the program.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">At that time, I was looking for ways to grow beyond the classroom, strengthen my creativity, and gain practical experience for my future in design and storytelling. During the program, I learned practical digital skills such as using Canva for design, Google Docs for collaboration and documentation, and other basic digital tools that improved my communication, organization, and creativity. These skills helped me become more confident and more effective in my academic and creative work.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Joining the program became an important step in my journey as a Creative Design student at the University of Rwanda. It gave me valuable skills, confidence, and exposure to a community of young women committed to learning and growth.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">After completing that program, I had the experience that  inspired me to apply for the Intwari Women Digital Apprenticeship organized by Women GAIN Rwanda. I saw the apprenticeship as an opportunity to continue learning through practical experience, strengthen my skills, and better understand how digital skills can empower communities and amplify important voices.</p><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>A Moment of Recognition</strong></h3><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!R_el!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F19192776-6177-467a-b3a3-4aa9f3b34961_6912x3456.png" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!R_el!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_424, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, 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/__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F19192776-6177-467a-b3a3-4aa9f3b34961_6912x3456.png 424w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!R_el!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_848, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F19192776-6177-467a-b3a3-4aa9f3b34961_6912x3456.png 848w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!R_el!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1272, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F19192776-6177-467a-b3a3-4aa9f3b34961_6912x3456.png 1272w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!R_el!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1456, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F19192776-6177-467a-b3a3-4aa9f3b34961_6912x3456.png 1456w" sizes="100vw" loading="lazy"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg aria-hidden="true" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a><figcaption class="image-caption">Intwari Women Digital Apprenticeship Online Session..</figcaption></figure></div><p style="text-align: justify;">Being selected made me feel recognized and reminded me to believe more in my abilities and potential. It motivated me to continue improving myself and using my creativity and communication skills to make a positive impact.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Through this apprenticeship, I hope to strengthen my communication, digital storytelling, teamwork, and professional skills. I also hope to grow into a creative leader who uses design and media to inspire other young women to believe in themselves and pursue their dreams despite challenges.</p><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Opening Doors for More Young Women</strong></h3><p style="text-align: justify;">I believe programs like the Intwari Women Digital Apprenticeship, led by Women GAIN Rwanda, do more than support individual participants. They help build a generation of confident, skilled, and empowered young women who can create lasting impact in their communities.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">To continue expanding this impact, support is needed to help Women GAIN Rwanda  reach more young women and sustain its programs. This can be done through donations of funds, partnerships with organisations, sponsoring training opportunities, or supporting access to tools and resources, such as digital equipment and learning materials.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Even small <a href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/women-gain">contributions</a> can help create more opportunities for training, mentorship, and hands-on experience for young women who are ready to grow but lack access.</p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/women-gain&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Donate Now&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/women-gain"><span>Donate Now</span></a></p><p style="text-align: justify;">I am grateful to be part of this journey and excited about the future it can create not only for me, but for many young women like me.</p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://womengain.substack.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">Women GAIN Rwanda is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Unlocking Opportunities Through Digital Skills]]></title><description><![CDATA[Intwari Women Apprentices learnt Opportunity Search and Data Entry]]></description><link>https://womengain.substack.com/p/unlocking-opportunities-through-digital</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://womengain.substack.com/p/unlocking-opportunities-through-digital</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Rosette Tuyisenge]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 02 Jun 2026 15:03:53 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!gJ6G!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc0d1db03-25c4-45f7-b5c2-8b73628cbb67_6912x3456.png" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://www.womengain.org/" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!gJ6G!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_424, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc0d1db03-25c4-45f7-b5c2-8b73628cbb67_6912x3456.png 424w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!gJ6G!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_848, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc0d1db03-25c4-45f7-b5c2-8b73628cbb67_6912x3456.png 848w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!gJ6G!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1272, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc0d1db03-25c4-45f7-b5c2-8b73628cbb67_6912x3456.png 1272w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!gJ6G!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1456, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc0d1db03-25c4-45f7-b5c2-8b73628cbb67_6912x3456.png 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!gJ6G!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc0d1db03-25c4-45f7-b5c2-8b73628cbb67_6912x3456.png" width="1456" height="728" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/c0d1db03-25c4-45f7-b5c2-8b73628cbb67_6912x3456.png&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:728,&quot;width&quot;:1456,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:7428787,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/png&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:&quot;https://www.womengain.org/&quot;,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://womengain.substack.com/i/200127656?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc0d1db03-25c4-45f7-b5c2-8b73628cbb67_6912x3456.png&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!gJ6G!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_424, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc0d1db03-25c4-45f7-b5c2-8b73628cbb67_6912x3456.png 424w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!gJ6G!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_848, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc0d1db03-25c4-45f7-b5c2-8b73628cbb67_6912x3456.png 848w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!gJ6G!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1272, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc0d1db03-25c4-45f7-b5c2-8b73628cbb67_6912x3456.png 1272w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!gJ6G!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1456, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc0d1db03-25c4-45f7-b5c2-8b73628cbb67_6912x3456.png 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg aria-hidden="true" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a><figcaption class="image-caption"><strong>Training Session</strong></figcaption></figure></div><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/women-gain&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Support Our Work&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/women-gain"><span>Support Our Work</span></a></p><p>We are committed to equipping young women with practical digital skills that prepare them for professional success and meaningful participation in the digital economy. Today, our Apprentices took another important step on this journey through a session focused on <strong>Opportunity Search and Data Management</strong>.</p><p>In today&#8217;s Modern digital world, access to information and the ability to manage it effectively are essential keys for career growth and professional development. </p><p>To address this need, we designed a training session to help apprentices learn how to identify opportunities, organise information, and use digital tools to improve productivity and efficiency.</p><h4><strong>Searching for Opportunities with Purpose</strong></h4><p>The first part of the session focused on opportunity search strategies. Participants learned how to identify and access various opportunities, including internships, jobs, scholarships, fellowships, grants, volunteer programs, and professional development initiatives.</p><p>They engaged with trusted online platforms and learned practical techniques for conducting effective searches, evaluating the credibility of opportunities, and identifying those that align with their personal and professional goals. Through hands-on exercises, apprentices practiced  using digital platforms effectively and discovered opportunities that support their growth and future careers.</p><p>This session highlighted that opportunities are often available, but finding them requires clear purpose, persistence, and the ability to use digital tools effectively.</p><h4>Information Management Skills</h4><p>The second part of the training introduced participants to the fundamentals of data entry and database management. Apprentices learned the importance of accurate data collection, organization, and record-keeping skills that are highly valued across industries and organizations.</p><p>The discussion covered best practices for entering, managing, and maintaining data while improving data quality and reliability, as well as commitment and professionalism. Participants also gained a deeper understanding of how organized information supports decision-making, reporting, and effective operations within organizations.</p><h4>Introducing Airtable as a Productivity Tool</h4><p>To strengthen their practical skills, apprentices were introduced to <strong>Airtable</strong>, a powerful digital platform that combines the functionality of spreadsheets and databases.</p><p>Participants learned how Airtable can be used to:</p><ul><li><p>Organize information efficiently</p></li><li><p>Track opportunities and applications</p></li><li><p>Manage projects and tasks</p></li><li><p>Store and update records</p></li><li><p>Collaborate with teams</p></li></ul><p>Through guided exercises, apprentices created simple databases and practiced entering and managing information. For many participants, this was their first experience using Airtable, opening new possibilities for organizing both personal and professional projects.</p><h4>Preparing for the Future</h4><p>As the Intwari Women Digital Apprenticeship continues, participants are building a strong foundation of digital skills that will serve them in their careers, businesses, and communities.</p><p>Today&#8217;s session demonstrated that digital empowerment is not only about technical knowledge; it is also about developing the confidence and practical skills needed to access opportunities, manage information effectively, and enter the professional world better prepared.</p><p>We are proud of the enthusiasm, curiosity, and commitment our apprentices continue to demonstrate throughout this journey.</p><h4>Thank You to Our Supporters</h4><p>We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our partners, supporters, and community members who continue to invest in the growth and empowerment of young women. Your<a href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/women-gain">&nbsp;support</a>&nbsp;enables participants to access transformative learning experiences that prepare them for a future full of opportunity.</p><p>Together, we are equipping young women with the skills, confidence, and tools they need to thrive in an increasingly digital world.</p><p>Every session brings us one step closer to a future where more women are empowered to lead, innovate, and create lasting impact.</p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/women-gain&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Donate Now&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/women-gain"><span>Donate Now</span></a></p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://womengain.substack.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">Women GAIN Rwanda is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Finding Purpose Through Growth and Opportunities]]></title><description><![CDATA[Grabbing opportunities]]></description><link>https://womengain.substack.com/p/finding-purpose-through-growth-and</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://womengain.substack.com/p/finding-purpose-through-growth-and</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Monica Akoi Dau Ahol]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sat, 30 May 2026 11:31:52 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!aml2!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F22b2d65a-cb74-403a-806e-34fec8b93120_2961x3638.jpeg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!aml2!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F22b2d65a-cb74-403a-806e-34fec8b93120_2961x3638.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!aml2!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_424, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F22b2d65a-cb74-403a-806e-34fec8b93120_2961x3638.jpeg 424w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!aml2!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_848, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F22b2d65a-cb74-403a-806e-34fec8b93120_2961x3638.jpeg 848w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!aml2!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1272, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F22b2d65a-cb74-403a-806e-34fec8b93120_2961x3638.jpeg 1272w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!aml2!, 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/__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F22b2d65a-cb74-403a-806e-34fec8b93120_2961x3638.jpeg 424w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!aml2!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_848, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F22b2d65a-cb74-403a-806e-34fec8b93120_2961x3638.jpeg 848w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!aml2!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1272, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F22b2d65a-cb74-403a-806e-34fec8b93120_2961x3638.jpeg 1272w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!aml2!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1456, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F22b2d65a-cb74-403a-806e-34fec8b93120_2961x3638.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg aria-hidden="true" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a><figcaption class="image-caption"></figcaption></figure></div><p style="text-align: justify;">My name is Monica Akoi Dau Ahol, a student at African Leadership University (ALU), and I am passionate about education, women&#8217;s empowerment and leadership. I am interested in using technology to create a meaningful impact in underserved communities.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Growing up as a refugee and coming from a family of seven has shaped how I understand opportunity, resilience, and personal growth. These experiences continue to influence the kind of leader and person I hope to become.</p><h4><strong>My Personal Journey</strong></h4><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!ZPVn!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff64d52a0-ae97-4be1-a8a2-28134b813313_1409x2131.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!ZPVn!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_424, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff64d52a0-ae97-4be1-a8a2-28134b813313_1409x2131.jpeg 424w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!ZPVn!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_848, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff64d52a0-ae97-4be1-a8a2-28134b813313_1409x2131.jpeg 848w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!ZPVn!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1272, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff64d52a0-ae97-4be1-a8a2-28134b813313_1409x2131.jpeg 1272w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!ZPVn!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1456, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff64d52a0-ae97-4be1-a8a2-28134b813313_1409x2131.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!ZPVn!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff64d52a0-ae97-4be1-a8a2-28134b813313_1409x2131.jpeg" width="1409" height="2131" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/f64d52a0-ae97-4be1-a8a2-28134b813313_1409x2131.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:2131,&quot;width&quot;:1409,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:733134,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://womengain.substack.com/i/199172420?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F3ca0d287-fecd-4d0e-9c63-038b57b622e2_1440x2560.jpeg&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!ZPVn!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_424, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff64d52a0-ae97-4be1-a8a2-28134b813313_1409x2131.jpeg 424w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!ZPVn!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_848, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff64d52a0-ae97-4be1-a8a2-28134b813313_1409x2131.jpeg 848w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!ZPVn!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1272, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff64d52a0-ae97-4be1-a8a2-28134b813313_1409x2131.jpeg 1272w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!ZPVn!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1456, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff64d52a0-ae97-4be1-a8a2-28134b813313_1409x2131.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg aria-hidden="true" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a><figcaption class="image-caption"><strong>A moment to reflect on growth, experiences, and the lessons that continue to shape my journey. </strong></figcaption></figure></div><p style="text-align: justify;">Growing up, I learned very early that not everyone experiences the same access to safety, education, stability, or opportunity. There were moments where uncertainty became part of daily life, and I had to learn how to adapt quickly to situations beyond my control. Those experiences taught me resilience in a very personal way.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">As I became older, I started paying more attention to how systems shape people&#8217;s lives differently, especially in education. I noticed how many young girls lose confidence, opportunities, or even their dreams simply because they lack support, mentorship, or access to resources. Seeing this deeply influenced my passion for women&#8217;s empowerment and education in Africa.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">My journey at ALU has also challenged me in many ways. Balancing academics, group projects, deadlines, leadership responsibilities, and personal challenges has not always been easy. There were moments when I felt overwhelmed and questioned whether I was doing enough. However, those experiences taught me discipline, communication, teamwork, and the importance of continuing even when things feel difficult.</p><h4><strong>Finding Purpose Through Opportunity</strong></h4><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!990z!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2a94050f-f43a-4bcb-ae24-a6b3c946fa4a_2560x1920.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!990z!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_424, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2a94050f-f43a-4bcb-ae24-a6b3c946fa4a_2560x1920.jpeg 424w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!990z!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_848, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2a94050f-f43a-4bcb-ae24-a6b3c946fa4a_2560x1920.jpeg 848w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!990z!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1272, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2a94050f-f43a-4bcb-ae24-a6b3c946fa4a_2560x1920.jpeg 1272w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!990z!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1456, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, 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/__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2a94050f-f43a-4bcb-ae24-a6b3c946fa4a_2560x1920.jpeg 424w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!990z!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_848, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2a94050f-f43a-4bcb-ae24-a6b3c946fa4a_2560x1920.jpeg 848w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!990z!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1272, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2a94050f-f43a-4bcb-ae24-a6b3c946fa4a_2560x1920.jpeg 1272w, 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6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a><figcaption class="image-caption"><strong>Moments from the Nairobi Nexus Program. </strong></figcaption></figure></div><p style="text-align: justify;">Over time, I became involved in experiences that helped me grow beyond the classroom. Through programs such as the Nairobi Nexus Program and my externship with Empowering Young Women (EYW), I was exposed to mentorship, storytelling, community engagement, leadership, and teamwork.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">These experiences showed me how powerful opportunities, guidance, and support can be in transforming someone&#8217;s confidence and future. They also strengthened my desire to join initiatives that create a positive impact for women and young people.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">When I learned about Women GAIN Rwanda and the Intwari Women Digital Apprenticeship, I immediately saw them as more than learning opportunities. I saw it as a space where young women are empowered to grow, develop practical skills, and become leaders capable of driving meaningful change in their communities.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Joining the Women GAIN Rwanda team is something I am truly grateful for, as it aligns closely with my personal mission and values. I wanted to be part of an environment where I could continue learning practical digital skills, gain hands-on experience, collaborate with inspiring women, and better understand how technology and leadership can empower communities and amplify women&#8217;s voices.</p><h4><strong>A Moment of Growth and Recognition</strong></h4><p style="text-align: justify;">Being selected for the Intwari Women Digital Apprenticeship by <a href="https://www.womengain.org/">Women GAIN Rwanda</a> made me feel both grateful and motivated. It reminded me that growth often begins when people are given opportunities to learn, challenge themselves, and step into spaces they once doubted they belonged in.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">For me, being part of this program is not only about gaining skills but also about becoming more confident in my ability to contribute meaningfully and create impact through leadership, communication, technology, and community engagement.</p><h4><strong>What I Hope to Achieve</strong></h4><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!T7WM!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fcfad741a-c246-420d-b5c1-c4308e8bd735_6912x3456.png" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!T7WM!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_424, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fcfad741a-c246-420d-b5c1-c4308e8bd735_6912x3456.png 424w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!T7WM!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_848, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fcfad741a-c246-420d-b5c1-c4308e8bd735_6912x3456.png 848w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!T7WM!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1272, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fcfad741a-c246-420d-b5c1-c4308e8bd735_6912x3456.png 1272w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!T7WM!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1456, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fcfad741a-c246-420d-b5c1-c4308e8bd735_6912x3456.png 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!T7WM!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fcfad741a-c246-420d-b5c1-c4308e8bd735_6912x3456.png" width="1456" height="728" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/cfad741a-c246-420d-b5c1-c4308e8bd735_6912x3456.png&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:728,&quot;width&quot;:1456,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:6506000,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/png&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://womengain.substack.com/i/199172420?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fcfad741a-c246-420d-b5c1-c4308e8bd735_6912x3456.png&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!T7WM!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_424, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fcfad741a-c246-420d-b5c1-c4308e8bd735_6912x3456.png 424w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!T7WM!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_848, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fcfad741a-c246-420d-b5c1-c4308e8bd735_6912x3456.png 848w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!T7WM!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1272, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fcfad741a-c246-420d-b5c1-c4308e8bd735_6912x3456.png 1272w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!T7WM!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1456, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fcfad741a-c246-420d-b5c1-c4308e8bd735_6912x3456.png 1456w" sizes="100vw" loading="lazy"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg aria-hidden="true" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a><figcaption class="image-caption"><strong>Intwari Women Digital Apprenticeship Session </strong></figcaption></figure></div><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/women-gain&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Support Our Work&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/women-gain"><span>Support Our Work</span></a></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Through this apprenticeship, I hope to strengthen my digital, communication, leadership, and teamwork skills. I also hope to gain practical experience that will help me contribute to projects focused on education, women's empowerment, and community development.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">In the future, I want to use technology and innovation to create opportunities for underserved communities, especially girls and young women, who often lack access to resources and support systems. I want to use both leadership and digital skills to solve problems, support others, and inspire positive change.</p><h4><strong>Expanding Opportunities for Young Women</strong></h4><p style="text-align: justify;">Programs like the Intwari Women Digital Apprenticeship create more than learning opportunities. They help build confidence, leadership, and hope for young women who are ready to grow but may not always have access to the right support systems.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Organizations like <a href="https://www.womengain.org/">Women GAIN Rwanda</a> are playing an important role in empowering young women by creating spaces for mentorship, digital learning, leadership development, and practical experience.<a href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/women-gain"> Supporting</a> such initiatives through mentorship, partnerships, sponsorships, and access to digital resources can help more young women gain the skills and opportunities they need to succeed and create change in their communities.</p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/women-gain&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Donate Today&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/women-gain"><span>Donate Today</span></a></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Even small<a href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/women-gain"> investments</a> in young women can have a long-term impact on families, communities, and future generations.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">I am grateful to Women GAIN Rwanda for this opportunity and excited for the journey ahead. Every experience continues to shape me into someone who believes in growth, purpose, and creating impact where it is needed most.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">My background may be part of my story, but it does not define the limits of what I can achieve. Instead, it continues to motivate me to keep learning, growing, and contributing to meaningful change.</p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.womengain.org/&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Visit Women GAIN Rwanda&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.womengain.org/"><span>Visit Women GAIN Rwanda</span></a></p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://womengain.substack.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">Women GAIN Rwanda is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div><p></p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Building Digital Voices Through Branding and Storytelling]]></title><description><![CDATA[We believe that digital empowerment is not only about learning technology, but also about learning how to tell stories, communicate ideas, and impact with confidence and creativity through digital programs.]]></description><link>https://womengain.substack.com/p/building-digital-voices-through-branding</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://womengain.substack.com/p/building-digital-voices-through-branding</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[NIWEMUNGERI Alier]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 26 May 2026 14:24:16 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!dBVj!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F058ed241-8f9e-4e2a-bfb0-60713da9beec_1600x800.jpeg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!dBVj!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F058ed241-8f9e-4e2a-bfb0-60713da9beec_1600x800.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!dBVj!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_424, 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/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!dBVj!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1456, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F058ed241-8f9e-4e2a-bfb0-60713da9beec_1600x800.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg aria-hidden="true" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a><figcaption class="image-caption">Intwari Women Apprenticeship Online Session</figcaption></figure></div><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/women-gain&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Support Our Work&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/women-gain"><span>Support Our Work</span></a></p><p style="text-align: justify;">We believe that digital empowerment is not only about learning technology, but also about learning how to tell stories, communicate ideas, and impact with confidence and creativity through digital programs.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Yesterday, we had an engaging session on #<strong>Branding &amp; Social Media Basics</strong>, where apprentices learned how strong branding and storytelling can help individuals and organizations build meaningful digital presence and connect with audiences effectively.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The session combined creativity, communication, and practical digital skills, helping participants better understand the power of social media in today&#8217;s professional and community spaces.</p><h4 style="text-align: justify;"><strong> Understanding Branding and Digital Communication</strong></h4><p style="text-align: justify;">In today&#8217;s digital world, social media platforms are powerful tools for visibility, networking, advocacy, and leadership. However, effective online communication requires more than simply posting content; it requires intentional storytelling, consistency, and authentic engagement.</p><p>During the session, participants learned the fundamentals of:</p><ul><li><p>Canva design for social media</p></li><li><p>Creating visually appealing and branded posters</p></li><li><p>Developing engaging captions</p></li><li><p>Storytelling techniques for digital platforms</p></li><li><p>Communicating professionally across Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X (Twitter)</p></li></ul><p style="text-align: justify;">The training highlighted the importance of aligning visuals, messages, and storytelling to create impactful communication that reflects both personal and organizational identity.</p><h4><strong> Learning Canva Design for Social Media</strong></h4><p style="text-align: justify;">One of the practical highlights of the session was learning how to use <strong>Canva</strong> to create branded social media posters.</p><p>Participants learned:</p><ul><li><p>Basic design principles</p></li><li><p>Typography and color consistency</p></li><li><p>Layout and visual hierarchy</p></li><li><p>Designing professional content for social platforms</p></li><li><p>Creating visually engaging posts that communicate clear messages</p></li></ul><p style="text-align: justify;">Through hands-on practice, apprentices designed their own branded materials while strengthening their creativity and digital confidence.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"> This was an exciting opportunity to realize that design can be both accessible and impactful when used intentionally.</p><h4><strong> Storytelling Through Captions and Social Media Content</strong></h4><p style="text-align: justify;">Beyond design, participants also learned how storytelling plays a primary role in social media communication.</p><p>The session guided them through:</p><ul><li><p>Writing engaging and authentic captions</p></li><li><p>Structuring stories for online audiences</p></li><li><p>Communicating impact through simple but meaningful messages</p></li><li><p>Adapting content for different platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X</p></li></ul><p style="text-align: justify;">Participants reflected on how stories can inspire, educate, advocate, and connect communities. They explored how organizations and individuals can use digital platforms not just for visibility, but also for leadership and positive social impact.</p><h4><strong>Growing Through Digital Creativity</strong></h4><p style="text-align: justify;">The Branding &amp; Social Media Basics session is another important step for the apprentices&#8217; journey. As participants continue learning digital tools and communication strategies, they are also building the confidence to express themselves creatively and professionally.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">We remain committed to equipping young women with practical skills that prepare them not only for employment opportunities but also for leadership, advocacy, entrepreneurship, and community engagement.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">We are proud of the progress our apprentices continue to make and grateful to our <strong>facilitators, partners, and supporters</strong> who make these learning opportunities possible.</p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/women-gain&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Donate&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/women-gain"><span>Donate</span></a></p><p></p><h4><strong> Looking Ahead</strong></h4><p>As the apprenticeship continues, participants will keep exploring new digital tools, creative communication methods, and leadership practices that prepare them for the evolving digital world.</p><p>Through branding, storytelling, and digital literacy, these young women are learning how to communicate their ideas, showcase their talents, and create meaningful impact in their communities and beyond.</p><p> <strong>Every story shared is a step toward empowerment, visibility, and transformation.</strong></p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.womengain.org/&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Visit Our Website&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.womengain.org/"><span>Visit Our Website</span></a></p><p></p><p></p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://womengain.substack.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">Women GAIN Rwanda is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[From Doubt to Digital Confidence: My Journey of Growth and Empowerment]]></title><description><![CDATA[Through the Intwari Women Digital Program, I discovered confidence, purpose, and new opportunities to shape my future in the digital world.]]></description><link>https://womengain.substack.com/p/from-doubt-to-digital-confidence</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://womengain.substack.com/p/from-doubt-to-digital-confidence</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[NIWEMUNGERI Alier]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 22 May 2026 13:23:22 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Xg1Y!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9d069653-6fff-4b3c-b6c5-372ba9d4df1f_953x849.jpeg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Xg1Y!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9d069653-6fff-4b3c-b6c5-372ba9d4df1f_953x849.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Xg1Y!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_424, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9d069653-6fff-4b3c-b6c5-372ba9d4df1f_953x849.jpeg 424w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Xg1Y!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_848, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9d069653-6fff-4b3c-b6c5-372ba9d4df1f_953x849.jpeg 848w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Xg1Y!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1272, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9d069653-6fff-4b3c-b6c5-372ba9d4df1f_953x849.jpeg 1272w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Xg1Y!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1456, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9d069653-6fff-4b3c-b6c5-372ba9d4df1f_953x849.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Xg1Y!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9d069653-6fff-4b3c-b6c5-372ba9d4df1f_953x849.jpeg" width="953" height="849" 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/__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9d069653-6fff-4b3c-b6c5-372ba9d4df1f_953x849.jpeg 424w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Xg1Y!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_848, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9d069653-6fff-4b3c-b6c5-372ba9d4df1f_953x849.jpeg 848w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Xg1Y!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1272, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9d069653-6fff-4b3c-b6c5-372ba9d4df1f_953x849.jpeg 1272w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Xg1Y!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1456, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9d069653-6fff-4b3c-b6c5-372ba9d4df1f_953x849.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg aria-hidden="true" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p>My name is <strong>Alier Niwemungeri</strong>, and I am grateful for the journey I have been through so far. I come from a background where opportunities were not always easy to access, especially in the digital field. Despite the challenges, I have always held onto the hope of building a better future for myself through learning and personal growth.</p><p>Like many young women, I once struggled with confidence in my digital skills. I knew I had potential, but I often doubted myself and felt unsure about where to start.</p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Xslr!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F7d4417a5-6614-4fb3-893f-3572622ab1a1_6912x3456.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Xslr!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_424, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F7d4417a5-6614-4fb3-893f-3572622ab1a1_6912x3456.jpeg 424w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Xslr!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_848, 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/__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F7d4417a5-6614-4fb3-893f-3572622ab1a1_6912x3456.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Xslr!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F7d4417a5-6614-4fb3-893f-3572622ab1a1_6912x3456.jpeg" width="1456" height="728" 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/__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F7d4417a5-6614-4fb3-893f-3572622ab1a1_6912x3456.jpeg 424w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Xslr!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_848, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F7d4417a5-6614-4fb3-893f-3572622ab1a1_6912x3456.jpeg 848w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Xslr!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1272, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F7d4417a5-6614-4fb3-893f-3572622ab1a1_6912x3456.jpeg 1272w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Xslr!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1456, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F7d4417a5-6614-4fb3-893f-3572622ab1a1_6912x3456.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg aria-hidden="true" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a><figcaption class="image-caption"><strong>Intwari Women Digital Training  session</strong></figcaption></figure></div><p>That is when I had the opportunity to join the&nbsp;<strong>Intwari Women Digital Training  Cohort One</strong>. It was a turning point in my life. Through this program, I began learning essential digital skills step by step. I learned to use digital tools, communicate professionally, and grow in confidence.</p><p>This program helped me realize that I am capable of learning and improving, no matter how difficult things may seem at the beginning. It was not just training for me; it was the start of believing in myself.</p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!wfm3!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F39332a4e-00e4-4929-bdce-bd87e4add3f0_1152x432.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!wfm3!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_424, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F39332a4e-00e4-4929-bdce-bd87e4add3f0_1152x432.jpeg 424w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!wfm3!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_848, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F39332a4e-00e4-4929-bdce-bd87e4add3f0_1152x432.jpeg 848w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!wfm3!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1272, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F39332a4e-00e4-4929-bdce-bd87e4add3f0_1152x432.jpeg 1272w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!wfm3!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1456, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F39332a4e-00e4-4929-bdce-bd87e4add3f0_1152x432.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!wfm3!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F39332a4e-00e4-4929-bdce-bd87e4add3f0_1152x432.jpeg" width="1152" height="432" 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/__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F39332a4e-00e4-4929-bdce-bd87e4add3f0_1152x432.jpeg 424w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!wfm3!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_848, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F39332a4e-00e4-4929-bdce-bd87e4add3f0_1152x432.jpeg 848w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!wfm3!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1272, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F39332a4e-00e4-4929-bdce-bd87e4add3f0_1152x432.jpeg 1272w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!wfm3!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1456, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F39332a4e-00e4-4929-bdce-bd87e4add3f0_1152x432.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg aria-hidden="true" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a><figcaption class="image-caption"><strong>Intwari Women Digital Apprenticeship online session</strong></figcaption></figure></div><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/women-gain&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Support Women GAIN Rwanda&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/women-gain"><span>Support Women GAIN Rwanda</span></a></p><p>After completing the first program, I was fortunate to be accepted into the Intwari Women Digital Apprenticeship Program, which runs for three months. This next stage is helping me build my skills and prepare for real opportunities in the digital world.</p><p>Each day in this program is a step forward. I am learning more, gaining confidence, and becoming more ready to face the future with courage and determination.</p><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>My Growth and Journey</strong></h3><p>Looking back, I can see how far I have come. Once someone who doubted herself, I am slowly becoming someone who believes in her abilities. These programs have not only given me skills but also hope, direction, and purpose.</p><p>I now see opportunities in the digital world that I never saw before, and I am determined to keep moving forward. However, my journey is just one of many made possible by the support of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.womengain.org/">Women GAIN Rwanda</a>. This organization continues to empower young women like me by providing access to digital skills, training, and opportunities that change lives.</p><h3><strong>Be Part of the Impact</strong></h3><p>I kindly invite you to <a href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/women-gain">support</a> this mission. Your contribution will help Women GAIN Rwanda continue offering training programs, mentorship, and opportunities to more women who are still waiting for a chance to grow, learn, and transform their futures.</p><p>Every bit of support helps open doors for another woman to gain confidence, skills, and independence.</p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/women-gain&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Donate Today&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/women-gain"><span>Donate Today</span></a></p><p>I am deeply thankful to Women GAIN Rwanda for opening this door for me and for believing in the potential of young women. And to everyone reading my story, thank you for taking the time to understand this journey.</p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.womengain.org/&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Visit Women GAIN For More Information&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.womengain.org/"><span>Visit Women GAIN For More Information</span></a></p><p>Together, we can continue to empower more women and turn opportunities into lasting impact.</p><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://womengain.substack.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">Women GAIN Rwanda is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Strengthening Voices Through Story-writing]]></title><description><![CDATA[Our Apprentices Learn the Power of Writing on Substack]]></description><link>https://womengain.substack.com/p/strengthening-voices-through-story</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://womengain.substack.com/p/strengthening-voices-through-story</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Rosette Tuyisenge]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 19 May 2026 14:35:54 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!68go!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe5785a44-4254-4f9d-9961-7a59b016db90_1600x800.jpeg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://www.womengain.org/" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!68go!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_424, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe5785a44-4254-4f9d-9961-7a59b016db90_1600x800.jpeg 424w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!68go!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_848, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe5785a44-4254-4f9d-9961-7a59b016db90_1600x800.jpeg 848w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!68go!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1272, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe5785a44-4254-4f9d-9961-7a59b016db90_1600x800.jpeg 1272w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!68go!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1456, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe5785a44-4254-4f9d-9961-7a59b016db90_1600x800.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!68go!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe5785a44-4254-4f9d-9961-7a59b016db90_1600x800.jpeg" width="1456" height="728" 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/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!68go!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1456, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe5785a44-4254-4f9d-9961-7a59b016db90_1600x800.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg aria-hidden="true" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a><figcaption class="image-caption">Session Time</figcaption></figure></div><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/women-gain&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Support Our Work&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/women-gain"><span>Support Our Work</span></a></p><p>We believe that digital empowerment goes beyond technical skills; it also includes the ability to communicate clearly, tell meaningful stories, and use digital platforms with purpose.</p><p>Yesterday, our <strong>Intwari Women Digital Apprentices</strong> had an inspiring and practical session focused on<strong> professional use of Substack</strong>. This platform allows individuals and organisations to share stories, ideas, reflections, and impact with large audiences.</p><p>This session marked another important step in the apprentices&#8217; journey toward becoming confident digital leaders who can not only use tools but also use their voices to create influence and inspire change.</p><h4> Introduction to Substack for Professional Use</h4><p>The apprentices were introduced to <strong>Substack</strong> as a professional platform for publishing stories, reflections, opinions, and community updates. They learned how to use Substack not only as a writing platform but also as a tool for:</p><ul><li><p>Building a professional online visibility</p></li><li><p>Sharing impact stories</p></li><li><p>Connecting with larger audiences</p></li><li><p>Creating meaningful content for personal and organizational growth</p></li></ul><p>This practical exposure helped participants understand that digital platforms can be used intentionally, not just for entertainment, but for visibility, opportunity, and influence.</p><h4>How Far Our Apprentices Have Come</h4><p>To our partners, supporters, and community, this session is another reflection of the growth happening within the Intwari Women Digital Apprenticeship Program. From professional communication to storytelling through Substack, our apprentices are continuing to build the skills they need to thrive in the digital world.</p><p>They are becoming more confident and more prepared to navigate both professional and community spaces with purpose. Their progress reminds us that when young women are given the right tools, they do not simply participate; they lead.</p><h4> Thank You to Our Supporters</h4><p>We remain deeply grateful to our partners, mentors, and supporters who continue to believe in this mission. Your <a href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/women-gain">support</a> is helping young women gain not only technical knowledge, but also the confidence to own their stories and use their voices for change. Each session empowers future leaders, and every lesson moves participants closer to transformation.</p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/women-gain&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Donate Today&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/women-gain"><span>Donate Today</span></a></p><h4> Looking Forward</h4><p>As the apprenticeship continues, we are excited to see our participants apply these storytelling skills in real ways, sharing their journeys, documenting their growth, and becoming advocates for themselves and their communities.</p><p>Because leadership begins when women recognize that their voices matter,  we are committed to ensuring those voices are heard.</p><p> <strong>Together, we are raising women who can lead, create, and inspire.</strong></p><p></p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://womengain.substack.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">Women GAIN Rwanda is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Intwari Women Digital Apprenticeship Kickoff.]]></title><description><![CDATA[This week, we onboarded our Intwari Women Digital Apprentices, and it was a warm and meaningful start to this work-learning journey.]]></description><link>https://womengain.substack.com/p/intwari-women-digital-apprenticeship</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://womengain.substack.com/p/intwari-women-digital-apprenticeship</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Hyacinthe Mizero]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 15 May 2026 13:27:49 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!z9s_!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F15fa2d50-b3d7-42a5-8e99-0356754c183f_2000x1600.png" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!z9s_!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F15fa2d50-b3d7-42a5-8e99-0356754c183f_2000x1600.png" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!z9s_!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_424, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F15fa2d50-b3d7-42a5-8e99-0356754c183f_2000x1600.png 424w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!z9s_!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_848, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F15fa2d50-b3d7-42a5-8e99-0356754c183f_2000x1600.png 848w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!z9s_!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1272, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F15fa2d50-b3d7-42a5-8e99-0356754c183f_2000x1600.png 1272w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!z9s_!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1456, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F15fa2d50-b3d7-42a5-8e99-0356754c183f_2000x1600.png 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!z9s_!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F15fa2d50-b3d7-42a5-8e99-0356754c183f_2000x1600.png" width="1456" height="1165" 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/__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F15fa2d50-b3d7-42a5-8e99-0356754c183f_2000x1600.png 424w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!z9s_!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_848, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F15fa2d50-b3d7-42a5-8e99-0356754c183f_2000x1600.png 848w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!z9s_!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1272, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F15fa2d50-b3d7-42a5-8e99-0356754c183f_2000x1600.png 1272w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!z9s_!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1456, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F15fa2d50-b3d7-42a5-8e99-0356754c183f_2000x1600.png 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg aria-hidden="true" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a><figcaption class="image-caption">Intwari Women Digital Apprentices.</figcaption></figure></div><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/women-gain&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Support our work&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/women-gain"><span>Support our work</span></a></p><p>This week, we onboarded our Intwari Women Digital Apprentices, and it was a warm and meaningful start to this work-learning journey. We are excited to officially welcome Monica Akoi Dau, Alier Niwemungeri, and Flavia Mukanshizirungu into the program.</p><p>During the session, we introduced <a href="https://www.womengain.org/impact">Women GAIN Rwanda</a> and shared our vision: &#8220;<strong>Building a women's professional networking space for connecting and sharing experiences.</strong>&#8221; We discussed openly about what we hope to build together through storytelling, digital skills, and leadership development. We also discussed expectations from both sides, which helped us set a foundation of clarity, commitment, and shared growth as we begin this journey.</p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!RWv-!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff428f7a2-fd3c-424d-9802-5bbdb69fac3f_1431x548.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!RWv-!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_424, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff428f7a2-fd3c-424d-9802-5bbdb69fac3f_1431x548.jpeg 424w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!RWv-!, 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/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!RWv-!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1456, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff428f7a2-fd3c-424d-9802-5bbdb69fac3f_1431x548.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg aria-hidden="true" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a><figcaption class="image-caption">Virtual Onboarding Session</figcaption></figure></div><h2><strong>Stories that brought us together</strong></h2><p>One of the most memorable moments was our first storytelling activity. The participants and team were divided into breakout rooms, where each person shared their story in a more personal, safe space. These conversations were honest and deeply reflective, and it was clear how powerful it can be when people are given space to speak and listen to one another.</p><p>Afterwards, we returned to the main room and shared what we had learned from each other&#8217;s stories. It was inspiring to hear the different reflections and to see how quickly a sense of connection and understanding was forming within the group.</p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!l7aZ!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1674557d-c6fa-43f5-b5c2-50330f483b30_1172x660.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!l7aZ!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_424, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1674557d-c6fa-43f5-b5c2-50330f483b30_1172x660.jpeg 424w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!l7aZ!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_848, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1674557d-c6fa-43f5-b5c2-50330f483b30_1172x660.jpeg 848w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!l7aZ!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1272, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1674557d-c6fa-43f5-b5c2-50330f483b30_1172x660.jpeg 1272w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!l7aZ!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1456, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1674557d-c6fa-43f5-b5c2-50330f483b30_1172x660.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!l7aZ!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1674557d-c6fa-43f5-b5c2-50330f483b30_1172x660.jpeg" width="1172" height="660" 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/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!l7aZ!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1456, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1674557d-c6fa-43f5-b5c2-50330f483b30_1172x660.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg aria-hidden="true" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a><figcaption class="image-caption">Story Time</figcaption></figure></div><p>This onboarding felt like more than just an introduction. It was the beginning of something meaningful; a journey built on trust, learning, and shared growth. We are excited for what lies ahead and grateful to be walking this path together with our new cohort.</p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/women-gain&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Donate&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/women-gain"><span>Donate</span></a></p><h2>Supporting this journey</h2><p>Women GAIN Rwanda continues to grow through the collective support of people who believe in empowering young women with the skills, confidence, and opportunities they need. Every form of <a href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/women-gain">support</a>, whether through mentorship, collaboration, sharing our work, or partnership, helps us reach more young women and strengthen this journey.</p><p>We remain grateful for everyone who believes in this work and continues to walk alongside us in different ways.<br></p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://womengain.substack.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">Women GAIN Rwanda is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Good News: We are Legally Granted the Working Certificate ]]></title><description><![CDATA[A Milestone Worth Celebrating]]></description><link>https://womengain.substack.com/p/good-news-we-are-legally-granted</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://womengain.substack.com/p/good-news-we-are-legally-granted</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Hyacinthe Mizero]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sat, 02 May 2026 07:08:55 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!RaS3!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb7017744-801c-4a84-83df-a7cc55403545_1600x1131.jpeg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<h4>A Milestone Worth Celebrating</h4><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!RaS3!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb7017744-801c-4a84-83df-a7cc55403545_1600x1131.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!RaS3!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_424, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb7017744-801c-4a84-83df-a7cc55403545_1600x1131.jpeg 424w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!RaS3!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_848, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb7017744-801c-4a84-83df-a7cc55403545_1600x1131.jpeg 848w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!RaS3!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1272, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb7017744-801c-4a84-83df-a7cc55403545_1600x1131.jpeg 1272w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!RaS3!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1456, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb7017744-801c-4a84-83df-a7cc55403545_1600x1131.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!RaS3!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb7017744-801c-4a84-83df-a7cc55403545_1600x1131.jpeg" width="1456" height="1029" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/b7017744-801c-4a84-83df-a7cc55403545_1600x1131.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:1029,&quot;width&quot;:1456,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:176671,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://womengain.substack.com/i/196114921?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb7017744-801c-4a84-83df-a7cc55403545_1600x1131.jpeg&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!RaS3!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_424, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb7017744-801c-4a84-83df-a7cc55403545_1600x1131.jpeg 424w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!RaS3!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_848, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb7017744-801c-4a84-83df-a7cc55403545_1600x1131.jpeg 848w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!RaS3!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1272, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb7017744-801c-4a84-83df-a7cc55403545_1600x1131.jpeg 1272w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!RaS3!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1456, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb7017744-801c-4a84-83df-a7cc55403545_1600x1131.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg aria-hidden="true" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/women-gain&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Support Our Work&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/women-gain"><span>Support Our Work</span></a></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Not long ago, we reached an important milestone: we received our Certificate of Legal Personality. This moment turns a dream born during the COVID-19 lockdown into a legally recognised organisation. It&#8217;s a milestone we are deeply proud of and a reminder that the real work is just beginning.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">As we mark <strong>International Labour Day,</strong> we also celebrate the people working every day to empower women in local communities. Every action you take is a step toward achieving the dream of a world where women can contribute to community development through their engagement in decision-making, policy advocacy, and implementation.</p><h4><strong>Where It All Began</strong></h4><p style="text-align: justify;">Thinking of this journey, it hasn&#8217;t been easy at all. The idea to start Women GAIN Rwanda emerged in 2021 during the COVID-19 lockdown, after completing the Intwari Women Apprenticeship. We didn&#8217;t have a roadmap, but we were sure we needed to build something important and impactful for young women in society. The journey has not been easy; we faced numerous challenges, sometimes feeling discouraged and tempted to give up on the work, but determination kept us moving forward.</p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://www.womengain.org/aboutus" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!dgRB!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_424, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5acdf623-d30a-4003-9c44-f061a396c1be_2334x1556.jpeg 424w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!dgRB!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_848, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5acdf623-d30a-4003-9c44-f061a396c1be_2334x1556.jpeg 848w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!dgRB!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1272, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5acdf623-d30a-4003-9c44-f061a396c1be_2334x1556.jpeg 1272w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!dgRB!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1456, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5acdf623-d30a-4003-9c44-f061a396c1be_2334x1556.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!dgRB!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5acdf623-d30a-4003-9c44-f061a396c1be_2334x1556.jpeg" width="727" height="484.8331043956044" 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/__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5acdf623-d30a-4003-9c44-f061a396c1be_2334x1556.jpeg 424w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!dgRB!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_848, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5acdf623-d30a-4003-9c44-f061a396c1be_2334x1556.jpeg 848w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!dgRB!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1272, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5acdf623-d30a-4003-9c44-f061a396c1be_2334x1556.jpeg 1272w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!dgRB!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1456, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5acdf623-d30a-4003-9c44-f061a396c1be_2334x1556.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg aria-hidden="true" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><h4>What This Milestone Means</h4><p style="text-align: justify;">Receiving legal recognition is not the finish line; it is a foundation. It gives us the credibility to grow, to build partnerships, and to scale our impact. More importantly, it strengthens our commitment to our mission: &#8220;Building a generation of women equipped to hold leadership positions&#8221;.</p><p>To achieve this, we focus on:</p><ul><li><p>Leadership development</p></li><li><p>Digital skills</p></li><li><p>Economic empowerment</p></li><li><p style="text-align: justify;">Personal and community wellness.</p></li></ul><p style="text-align: justify;">These are core programs under which our projects are designed to help young women in the local community. We have done some work that we are proud of, and now that we have been recognised, the energy is much higher, and the activities will increase.</p><h4>Where We Are Now</h4><p style="text-align: justify;">While we celebrate this milestone, we are also navigating a major challenge. Since late 2025, we have not had access to a physical space to run our programs. As a result, in-person activities are currently on hold. We are operating from a temporary location while actively seeking a training space for young women this year.</p><h4>How You Can Support</h4><p style="text-align: justify;">To make this possible, we are raising $5,000 by July to cover rent and basic operational needs.</p><p>This space will allow us to:</p><ul><li><p>Resume physical training sessions</p></li><li><p>Expand our programs</p></li><li><p>Reach more young women in the community.</p></li></ul><p style="text-align: justify;">If you believe in a future where women lead and shape their communities, we invite you to support us through funding, partnerships, or by sharing our story.</p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/women-gain&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Donate!&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/women-gain"><span>Donate!</span></a></p><h4>Looking Ahead</h4><p style="text-align: justify;">This certificate is the beginning of a new chapter. We started with an idea during lockdown; today, we are a recognised organisation, and tomorrow, we are building a generation of women leaders.</p><p><strong>But we cannot do it alone.</strong></p><p style="text-align: justify;">To everyone who has supported us, our partners, mentors, volunteers, donors, and community members, thank you for believing in this vision. Your trust and support make this journey possible. As we move forward, we invite you to continue walking with us. Together, we can create stronger communities, more opportunities for women, and a future where every young woman has the chance to lead.</p><p><em><strong>Join us in building this future</strong>. </em><strong><a href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/women-gain">Support Women GAIN Rwanda today</a>.</strong></p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://womengain.substack.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">Women GAIN Rwanda is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[From Self-Determination to Independence: Denise’s Journey Through Tailoring]]></title><description><![CDATA[Denise&#8217;s story reminds us that when determination meets opportunity, transformation becomes possible.]]></description><link>https://womengain.substack.com/p/from-self-determination-to-independence</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://womengain.substack.com/p/from-self-determination-to-independence</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Rosette Tuyisenge]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 21 Apr 2026 14:11:13 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!vG8k!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fcd26921a-e160-4b92-974d-4931ed776991_1080x1350.png" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://www.womengain.org/" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!vG8k!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_424, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fcd26921a-e160-4b92-974d-4931ed776991_1080x1350.png 424w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!vG8k!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_848, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fcd26921a-e160-4b92-974d-4931ed776991_1080x1350.png 848w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!vG8k!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1272, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fcd26921a-e160-4b92-974d-4931ed776991_1080x1350.png 1272w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!vG8k!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1456, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fcd26921a-e160-4b92-974d-4931ed776991_1080x1350.png 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!vG8k!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fcd26921a-e160-4b92-974d-4931ed776991_1080x1350.png" width="1080" height="1350" 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/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!vG8k!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1456, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fcd26921a-e160-4b92-974d-4931ed776991_1080x1350.png 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg aria-hidden="true" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a><figcaption class="image-caption">Denise is designing and sewing a shirt</figcaption></figure></div><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/women-gain&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Support Our Work&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:&quot;button-wrapper&quot;}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary button-wrapper" href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/women-gain"><span>Support Our Work</span></a></p><h3>A Dream Interrupted</h3><p>Denise grew up in the Southern Province of Rwanda, where she developed a love for school at a young age. However, due to financial hardship in her family, she was unable to continue her education beyond Primary 6.</p><p>Faced with limited options, Denise made a difficult decision at a young age to move to Kigali in search of work. She became a house helper, a role she held for five years. While this allowed her to survive and support her family, it also meant putting her dreams on hold.</p><h3> A Turning Point</h3><p>Denise&#8217;s life began to change when a friend introduced her to Women GAIN Rwanda. She learned about an opportunity for young women, especially those who had dropped out of school,  to gain vocational skills through a tailoring program.</p><p>Determined to create a better future, Denise sought more information and, fortunately, was selected to join the program.</p><h3> A Journey of Sacrifice and Strength</h3><p>Her training journey was not easy. Denise had to leave her job as a house helper because it was too demanding to balance with her studies. This decision meant losing her only source of income.</p><p>She also faced uncertainty about where to stay and how to meet her daily needs during the training period. Yet, despite these challenges, Denise remained committed. She chose perseverance over comfort and continued to attend her training with dedication and focus</p><h3>A<strong> New Beginning</strong></h3><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://www.womengain.org/" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!gXzW!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_424, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fffa31837-2172-4be2-af87-8ff38b02d1d4_1052x800.png 424w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!gXzW!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_848, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fffa31837-2172-4be2-af87-8ff38b02d1d4_1052x800.png 848w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!gXzW!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1272, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fffa31837-2172-4be2-af87-8ff38b02d1d4_1052x800.png 1272w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!gXzW!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1456, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fffa31837-2172-4be2-af87-8ff38b02d1d4_1052x800.png 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!gXzW!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fffa31837-2172-4be2-af87-8ff38b02d1d4_1052x800.png" width="1052" height="800" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/ffa31837-2172-4be2-af87-8ff38b02d1d4_1052x800.png&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:800,&quot;width&quot;:1052,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:2282533,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/png&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:&quot;https://www.womengain.org/&quot;,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://womengain.substack.com/i/194380023?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F485c1535-515a-4be5-8534-7291e1078e7b_1080x1350.png&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!gXzW!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_424, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fffa31837-2172-4be2-af87-8ff38b02d1d4_1052x800.png 424w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!gXzW!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_848, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fffa31837-2172-4be2-af87-8ff38b02d1d4_1052x800.png 848w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!gXzW!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1272, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fffa31837-2172-4be2-af87-8ff38b02d1d4_1052x800.png 1272w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!gXzW!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1456, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fffa31837-2172-4be2-af87-8ff38b02d1d4_1052x800.png 1456w" sizes="100vw" loading="lazy"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg aria-hidden="true" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/women-gain&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Donate to Women GAIN Rwanda&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/women-gain"><span>Donate to Women GAIN Rwanda</span></a></p><p>Today, Denise is proud to be a graduate of the tailoring program. She has gained valuable, practical skills and can now design and sew a variety of garments, including pants, dresses, skirts, shirts, and shorts.</p><p>More importantly, she has regained her confidence and a renewed sense of purpose. Denise is now ready to begin her journey toward financial independence with a vision to support herself, her siblings, and her entire family.</p><h3> One Step Away</h3><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!BRhH!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6739125f-9952-4e07-bbbb-da9cf1569ff5_1914x1218.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!BRhH!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_424, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6739125f-9952-4e07-bbbb-da9cf1569ff5_1914x1218.jpeg 424w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!BRhH!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_848, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6739125f-9952-4e07-bbbb-da9cf1569ff5_1914x1218.jpeg 848w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!BRhH!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1272, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6739125f-9952-4e07-bbbb-da9cf1569ff5_1914x1218.jpeg 1272w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!BRhH!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1456, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6739125f-9952-4e07-bbbb-da9cf1569ff5_1914x1218.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!BRhH!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6739125f-9952-4e07-bbbb-da9cf1569ff5_1914x1218.jpeg" width="1914" height="1218" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/6739125f-9952-4e07-bbbb-da9cf1569ff5_1914x1218.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:1218,&quot;width&quot;:1914,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:388044,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://womengain.substack.com/i/194380023?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb908de3c-4256-41fd-9058-082b77a37038_1920x2560.jpeg&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!BRhH!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_424, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6739125f-9952-4e07-bbbb-da9cf1569ff5_1914x1218.jpeg 424w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!BRhH!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_848, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6739125f-9952-4e07-bbbb-da9cf1569ff5_1914x1218.jpeg 848w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!BRhH!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1272, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6739125f-9952-4e07-bbbb-da9cf1569ff5_1914x1218.jpeg 1272w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!BRhH!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1456, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6739125f-9952-4e07-bbbb-da9cf1569ff5_1914x1218.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" loading="lazy"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg aria-hidden="true" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a><figcaption class="image-caption">Denise with the program coordinator</figcaption></figure></div><p>Although Denise has completed her training, she still faces one significant challenge: she does not yet have a sewing machine. Without this essential tool, it is difficult for her to begin earning an income from the skills she has worked so hard to acquire.</p><p>She is doing her best to save money, but the process is slow and uncertain.</p><h3> Creating More Stories Like Denise&#8217;s</h3><p>Denise&#8217;s story is not unique. It reflects the reality of many young women across Rwanda who are ready to work hard, learn, and transform their lives if given the opportunity.</p><p>At Women GAIN Rwanda, we are committed to making that opportunity possible.</p><p>Through vocational training, mentorship, and support, we equip young women with the skills and confidence they need to become independent.</p><p>But we cannot do it alone.</p><p><strong>We are inviting you to partner with us.</strong></p><p>Your <a href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/women-gain">support</a> will directly help us:</p><ul><li><p>Train more young women in vocational skills like tailoring</p></li><li><p>Provide mentorship and life skills development</p></li><li><p>Equip graduates with tools to start earning</p></li><li><p>Expand our programs to reach more communities</p><p></p></li></ul><p>Your <a href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/women-gain">contribution</a> matters:</p><ul><li><p><strong>$50</strong> can support training materials for one participant</p></li><li><p><strong>$100</strong> contributes to skills training and mentorship</p></li><li><p><strong>$250+</strong> helps equip graduates with tools to begin their journey</p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/women-gain&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Donate Now&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/women-gain"><span>Donate Now</span></a></p></li></ul><p>Every contribution, no matter the size, helps us empower more young women to become independent and self-reliant.</p><h3> Be Part of the Impact</h3><p>Denise has already done the hardest part; she showed up, stayed committed, and completed her training despite significant challenges.</p><p>Now, imagine what is possible if more young women are given the same opportunity.</p><p> <strong>Donate today and help us create more stories like Denise&#8217;s.</strong></p><p>Your support is not just a donation; it is an investment in dignity, opportunity, and the future of young women in Rwanda.</p><p> </p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://womengain.substack.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">Women GAIN Rwanda is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Celebrating Women's History Month_ Empowering Young Women's Economy through Tailoring Skills .]]></title><description><![CDATA[In celebration of this year&#8217;s Women&#8217;s History Month, themed &#8220;Accelerating Regional Economic Justice, Rights, and Actions for All,&#8221; we recognize the remarkable achievements of ten young women who recently completed a six-month tailoring course under our]]></description><link>https://womengain.substack.com/p/celebrating-womens-history-month_</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://womengain.substack.com/p/celebrating-womens-history-month_</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Francine]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 11 Mar 2026 10:12:35 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!YVYU!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5d3467c5-c502-41a8-bace-29d4789cbe4b_1600x900.png" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://www.womengain.org/" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!YVYU!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_424, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, 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/__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5d3467c5-c502-41a8-bace-29d4789cbe4b_1600x900.png 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!YVYU!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5d3467c5-c502-41a8-bace-29d4789cbe4b_1600x900.png" width="1456" height="819" 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data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/women-gain"><span>Support our work</span></a></p><p>In celebration of this year&#8217;s Women&#8217;s History Month, themed &#8220;<em>Accelerating Regional Economic Justice, Rights, and Actions for All,&#8221;</em> we recognize the remarkable achievements of ten young women who recently completed a six-month tailoring course under our <strong><a href="https://www.womengain.org/copy-of-digital-transformation">Socioeconomic Inclusion program</a></strong>. These women, despite significant life challenges such as poverty, early motherhood, and loneliness, demonstrated exceptional perseverance and determination throughout the journey.</p><p>Many participants attended classes while taking on the responsibilities of motherhood, often bringing their babies with them. This unique experience was very challenging, but it became a practice in multitasking and demonstrated patience. During training sessions, storytelling time emerged as a cherished activity, allowing participants to share their personal struggles and each to realise they were not alone.</p><h2><strong>Stitching a New Beginning: Young Women Reclaiming Their Future</strong></h2><p>The journey was not easy at all. Some participants dropped out of school due to poverty, family conflicts, and others got early pregnancies that forced them to assume adult responsibilities at a young age. Leaving home was a tough decision, but they sought to reclaim their futures by pursuing opportunities for a better life.</p><p>Through collaboration with local government and word of mouth, these women learned about the tailoring training offered by Women GAIN Rwanda. Despite life&#8217;s demands, they took a courageous step towards change. For six months, they dedicated themselves to mastering tailoring skills and, in an additional month, learned how to transform these skills into viable job opportunities.</p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/women-gain&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Donate to Women GAIN Rwanda&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/women-gain"><span>Donate to Women GAIN Rwanda</span></a></p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!2-Qo!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fbf949383-5318-4412-9d9b-e4f6a6d65834_4032x2108.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!2-Qo!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_424, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fbf949383-5318-4412-9d9b-e4f6a6d65834_4032x2108.jpeg 424w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!2-Qo!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_848, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fbf949383-5318-4412-9d9b-e4f6a6d65834_4032x2108.jpeg 848w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!2-Qo!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1272, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, 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/__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fbf949383-5318-4412-9d9b-e4f6a6d65834_4032x2108.jpeg 424w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!2-Qo!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_848, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fbf949383-5318-4412-9d9b-e4f6a6d65834_4032x2108.jpeg 848w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!2-Qo!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1272, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fbf949383-5318-4412-9d9b-e4f6a6d65834_4032x2108.jpeg 1272w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!2-Qo!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1456, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fbf949383-5318-4412-9d9b-e4f6a6d65834_4032x2108.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" loading="lazy"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg aria-hidden="true" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a><figcaption class="image-caption">Trainees wearing skirts they made.</figcaption></figure></div><p>What stands out most is their perseverance. Despite the challenges they faced, sometimes not knowing what they would eat in the evening or attending their classes with their children, they kept showing up to learn. They understood that gaining a skill could help them build a more stable future for themselves and their children. To support them, the program was structured flexibly. The training allowed them to learn part-time so they could still find time to work and earn something to sustain their daily lives.</p><p>Today, these ten young women have not only completed their training but are preparing for graduation, equipped with practical skills and newfound confidence. Their stories are not just about learning how to sew. They are about courage, determination, and choosing hope even when life feels uncertain.</p><p>As we celebrate Women&#8217;s History Month, we acknowledge their strength and dedication to building a brighter future. In the coming days, we will share their individual narratives, highlighting their journeys, challenges, and aspirations.</p><p>Furthermore, in recognition of International Women&#8217;s Day in Rwanda, under the theme &#8220;Umugore ni uw&#8217;agaciro&#8221; (A Woman is Worthy), we affirm the value of these young women and their potential to achieve great things with the skills they have acquired. In the coming days, we will share their individual stories, their journeys, challenges, and dreams.</p><p>Stay tuned.</p><h1>Your Support Matters!</h1><p>This program and others implemented were possible because of people like you who contributed either their time, money, expertise, or connections. We thank you for your generosity and appreciate your continued support on this journey to empower young women. We are working to sustain our initiatives and do more additional projects together. </p><p>There are several ways to give_You can <a href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/women-gain">donate</a>, volunteer with us, follow us on social media (<a href="https://x.com/IntwariWomen">X</a>,<a href="https://web.facebook.com/womengain/">Facebook</a>,<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/75544482/admin/page-posts/published/">Linkedin</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/intwariwomen/">Instagram</a>), or spread our word to your network. </p><p></p><p></p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://womengain.substack.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">Women GAIN Rwanda is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Empowering Courageous Women to Lead and Thrive]]></title><description><![CDATA["There was a time when I had dreams but no voice", Said Hyacinthe Mizero.]]></description><link>https://womengain.substack.com/p/empowering-courageous-women-to-lead</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://womengain.substack.com/p/empowering-courageous-women-to-lead</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Hyacinthe Mizero]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 16 Jan 2026 15:36:20 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Wgwx!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F080704fa-3eae-46aa-b034-327b3d249f53_2592x1944.jpeg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="http://womengain.org" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Wgwx!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_424, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F080704fa-3eae-46aa-b034-327b3d249f53_2592x1944.jpeg 424w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Wgwx!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_848, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, 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class="image-caption">Hyacinthe is leading the Intwari Women Leadership Cohort two</figcaption></figure></div><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/women-gain&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Support Our Work&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/women-gain"><span>Support Our Work</span></a></p><p>In 2020, before Women GAIN Rwanda existed, I was just a young woman trying to find my place. I had ideas, passion, and a desire to contribute to my community, but I struggled with confidence and digital communication. I remember one moment clearly: I failed a job interview not because I lacked ability, but because my fear took over. I couldn&#8217;t speak. I couldn&#8217;t breathe. I walked away feeling small and invisible.</p><p>In early 2021, I was a student at&nbsp;<a href="https://akilah.org/">Akilah Institute/Davis College,</a>&nbsp;and I learned about a special program from a fellow Akilah student <span class="mention-wrap" data-attrs="{&quot;name&quot;:&quot;Francine&quot;,&quot;id&quot;:301164984,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;user&quot;,&quot;url&quot;:null,&quot;photo_url&quot;:&quot;https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!TRuV!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F43177f17-7568-4b6b-a73f-6abbea0a26b7_527x740.jpeg&quot;,&quot;uuid&quot;:&quot;16b61734-2f95-44fd-a2c9-365df4576918&quot;}" data-component-name="MentionToDOM"></span> and started by  Akilah Board member&nbsp;<span class="mention-wrap" data-attrs="{&quot;name&quot;:&quot;Amy Pritchard, &#10060;&#128081;&quot;,&quot;id&quot;:3645766,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;user&quot;,&quot;url&quot;:null,&quot;photo_url&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/c9d26ffb-037d-4410-9af9-e4d35242581a_1429x1429.png&quot;,&quot;uuid&quot;:&quot;f7a30c9b-231b-4b57-846e-43f98e395351&quot;}" data-component-name="MentionToDOM"></span> for our students during the pandemic. Amy is the founder of <a href="http://globalgain.org">Global GAIN</a> and operator of a compound called <span class="mention-wrap" data-attrs="{&quot;name&quot;:&quot;CoKiYoVu&quot;,&quot;id&quot;:346309534,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;user&quot;,&quot;url&quot;:null,&quot;photo_url&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/93e79a4d-e916-48a5-8e7d-e5ec7dd2f497_144x144.png&quot;,&quot;uuid&quot;:&quot;21789764-6291-49fc-b6e7-0f9de018f42b&quot;}" data-component-name="MentionToDOM"></span>.  <span class="mention-wrap" data-attrs="{&quot;name&quot;:&quot;Global GAIN&quot;,&quot;id&quot;:25291286,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;user&quot;,&quot;url&quot;:null,&quot;photo_url&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/eecc2544-c5a2-4da3-beea-eac19be9d12e_813x813.png&quot;,&quot;uuid&quot;:&quot;021618b0-790f-4167-87a0-0b6e54497ce0&quot;}" data-component-name="MentionToDOM"></span> created a leadership program, and I joined the first cohort of what later became the <strong><a href="https://www.womengain.org/intwariwomen">Intwari Women Leadership Program</a></strong>. I did not know then that this experience would change the direction of my life.</p><p>&#8220;Intwari&#8221; means <em>courage</em> in Kinyarwanda. And courage is exactly what that program gave me.</p><h2>From Being Supported to Giving Back</h2><p>Through leadership training, mentorship, and digital skills development, I slowly began to change. I learned how to communicate, use professional digital tools, and&#8212;most importantly&#8212;believe in myself. I was no longer hiding my ideas. I was sharing them.</p><p>What surprised me most was not just my growth, but the growth I saw in the women around me. We were changing together.</p><p>After completing the program, my colleagues and I reflected deeply. We asked ourselves: <strong>&#8220;</strong><em><strong>What if this opportunity didn&#8217;t end with us? What if more young women could experience this transformation?&#8221;</strong></em></p><p>This question led us to start <strong>Women GAIN Rwanda</strong>, a local nonprofit created to give back to our community what we ourselves had received. I was blessed to serve as a <strong>Program Coordinator</strong>, helping turn the program that once trained me into something sustainable, serving many now.</p><p>Today, when I mentor young women who struggle with confidence, communication, or fear of speaking up, I see my younger self reflected in them. And I know deep in my heart that change is possible.</p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/women-gain&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Donate to Women GAIN via Global GAIN&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/women-gain"><span>Donate to Women GAIN via Global GAIN</span></a></p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!7hVN!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F079d49fb-d525-434b-940c-63c00bb84c5f_2521x1890.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!7hVN!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_424, 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/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!7hVN!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1456, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F079d49fb-d525-434b-940c-63c00bb84c5f_2521x1890.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" loading="lazy"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg aria-hidden="true" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a><figcaption class="image-caption"><a href="http://womengain.org">Hyacinthe</a> is offering training on professional digital skills at CoKiyovu</figcaption></figure></div><h2><strong>What We Have Built Together</strong></h2><ul><li><p>Since 2020, Women GAIN Rwanda has grown beyond what we imagined:</p><ul><li><p><strong>52 young women</strong> empowered through <strong>three cohorts</strong> of the <em>Intwari Women Leadership Program</em></p></li><li><p><strong>20 young women</strong> trained through the <em>Intwari Women Digital Skills Program</em></p></li><li><p><strong>Socioeconomic inclusion initiatives</strong>, including:</p><ul><li><p>Creative and skills-based programs that trained <strong>37 women</strong></p></li><li><p>School support for teenage mothers, supporting <strong>5 students continuously over the past two years</strong></p></li><li><p>Health insurance coverage was provided to <strong>257 individuals</strong> from vulnerable women-headed households.</p></li></ul></li></ul></li></ul><p>Each program teaches us something new. Honestly, <strong>every time we train young women, we receive even more in return</strong>: their resilience, their creativity, their determination. This work continues to remind us why we started.</p><div class="image-gallery-embed" data-attrs="{&quot;gallery&quot;:{&quot;images&quot;:[{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/30837ef7-2b43-451d-b599-fa710e8dd831_2560x1920.jpeg&quot;},{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/3ca3fe32-83b9-4d3d-8596-29f173cc9a5c_6240x4160.jpeg&quot;},{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/774cf082-98d2-4a3c-8c1f-835cc4160339_6240x4160.jpeg&quot;}],&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;Programs' highlights &quot;,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;Photos from Women GAIN programs&quot;,&quot;staticGalleryImage&quot;:{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/png&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/44286128-847e-457a-b239-06395e8a63af_1456x474.png&quot;}},&quot;isEditorNode&quot;:true}"></div><h2><a href="http://womengain.org">The Challenge Ahead</a></h2><p>Today, we face a serious challenge. We no longer have access to our training space in Kiyovu (a long story we will share in time). Without a safe place to gather, our programs risk being paused.</p><p>That is why in <strong>2026</strong>, we are working to raise <strong>$30,000</strong> to secure a space, cover operations, and continue programs, including:</p><ul><li><p>Intwari Women Digital Skills &#8211; Cohort Two;</p></li><li><p>Intwari Women Leadership &#8211; Cohort four;</p></li><li><p>Gira Inganzo Tailoring &#8211; Cohort Three;<br><em>(Gira Inganzo means &#8220;to create&#8221; or &#8220;to have a creative mindset&#8221;)</em></p></li><li><p>Scholarships for teenage mothers from the Indoto Zanjye (My Dream) project;</p></li><li><p>Gira Ubuzima (Have Life)<strong> </strong>&#8211; health insurance for vulnerable women-headed households.</p></li></ul><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/women-gain&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Donate Now&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/women-gain"><span>Donate Now</span></a></p><h2>Your Donation Is a Lifeline</h2><p>Every <a href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/women-gain">donation</a> helps transform the lives of young women in Rwanda:</p><ul><li><p><strong>$3</strong> can help cover <strong>health insurance for one woman</strong></p></li><li><p><strong>$10</strong> can provide <strong>school materials for one student</strong></p></li><li><p><strong>$50</strong> can allow <strong>one young woman to attend a full day of training</strong></p></li><li><p><strong>$100</strong> can support <strong>one student&#8217;s education for an entire year</strong></p></li></ul><p>Every contribution, big or small, brings hope, opportunity, and a chance for young women to thrive. <a href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/women-gain">Donate today </a>to help young women access the education and skills they need to succeed.</p><p>I am living proof of what happens when someone believes in a young woman before she fully believes in herself. I graduated from a program that once supported me. Today, I am helping others graduate into confidence, leadership, and opportunity.</p><h2>Join Us Today!</h2><p>If you are reading this, I invite you to be part of our story by donating, volunteering your time or skills, or simply sharing our story with others who believe in women-led change.</p><p>By supporting Women GAIN Rwanda, you are:</p><ul><li><p>Standing with courageous women</p></li><li><p>Investing in leadership and dignity</p></li><li><p>Helping dreams become reality</p></li></ul><p>Together, we can raise <strong>$30,000 in 2026</strong> and ensure that young women are not held back by a lack of space, resources, or opportunity.</p><p>Thank you for believing in women.<br>Thank you for believing in courage.<br>Thank you for walking this journey with us.</p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://womengain.substack.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">Women GAIN Rwanda is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[With Gratitude, Happy New Year!]]></title><description><![CDATA[A message from Francine, Executive Director]]></description><link>https://womengain.substack.com/p/with-gratitude-happy-new-year</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://womengain.substack.com/p/with-gratitude-happy-new-year</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Francine]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 31 Dec 2025 10:55:06 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!SaFJ!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe32e2494-ed9a-4077-863c-7102d7689020_1584x396.png" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2" target="_blank" href="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!SaFJ!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe32e2494-ed9a-4077-863c-7102d7689020_1584x396.png" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!SaFJ!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_424, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe32e2494-ed9a-4077-863c-7102d7689020_1584x396.png 424w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!SaFJ!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_848, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe32e2494-ed9a-4077-863c-7102d7689020_1584x396.png 848w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!SaFJ!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1272, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe32e2494-ed9a-4077-863c-7102d7689020_1584x396.png 1272w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!SaFJ!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1456, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe32e2494-ed9a-4077-863c-7102d7689020_1584x396.png 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!SaFJ!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe32e2494-ed9a-4077-863c-7102d7689020_1584x396.png" width="1456" height="364" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/e32e2494-ed9a-4077-863c-7102d7689020_1584x396.png&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:364,&quot;width&quot;:1456,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:184444,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/png&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://womengain.substack.com/i/182858597?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe32e2494-ed9a-4077-863c-7102d7689020_1584x396.png&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!SaFJ!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_424, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe32e2494-ed9a-4077-863c-7102d7689020_1584x396.png 424w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!SaFJ!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_848, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe32e2494-ed9a-4077-863c-7102d7689020_1584x396.png 848w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!SaFJ!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1272, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe32e2494-ed9a-4077-863c-7102d7689020_1584x396.png 1272w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!SaFJ!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1456, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe32e2494-ed9a-4077-863c-7102d7689020_1584x396.png 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div></div></div></a></figure></div><p>With many thoughts in my mind, I decided to start this message with a big &#8220;THANK YOU&#8221;! This year was magical despite some challenges. I want to express my sincere appreciation to you for all the generous support you have provided during our move. As you are aware, Women GAIN Rwanda is still in its early stages, but it has already had a significant impact on the community. The team and I are very proud of the work accomplished this year. I hope you will enjoy the brief stories with images below.</p><p>Early this year, we hosted the third cohort of the Intwari Women Leadership program. A group of young women passionate about community leadership and development graduated. Additional photos can be found on our website, which is linked <a href="https://www.womengain.org/july-graduation-2025">here</a>.</p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!ZI7w!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F13501974-3f11-413c-b6e3-0131b9e713bc_3531x1588.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!ZI7w!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_424, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F13501974-3f11-413c-b6e3-0131b9e713bc_3531x1588.jpeg 424w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!ZI7w!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_848, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F13501974-3f11-413c-b6e3-0131b9e713bc_3531x1588.jpeg 848w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!ZI7w!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1272, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F13501974-3f11-413c-b6e3-0131b9e713bc_3531x1588.jpeg 1272w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!ZI7w!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1456, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F13501974-3f11-413c-b6e3-0131b9e713bc_3531x1588.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!ZI7w!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F13501974-3f11-413c-b6e3-0131b9e713bc_3531x1588.jpeg" width="3531" height="1588" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/13501974-3f11-413c-b6e3-0131b9e713bc_3531x1588.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:1588,&quot;width&quot;:3531,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:2002277,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://womengain.substack.com/i/182858597?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F576639d7-cd61-463b-862e-e5b9251eb5f5_3600x2400.jpeg&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!ZI7w!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_424, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F13501974-3f11-413c-b6e3-0131b9e713bc_3531x1588.jpeg 424w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!ZI7w!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_848, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F13501974-3f11-413c-b6e3-0131b9e713bc_3531x1588.jpeg 848w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!ZI7w!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1272, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F13501974-3f11-413c-b6e3-0131b9e713bc_3531x1588.jpeg 1272w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!ZI7w!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1456, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F13501974-3f11-413c-b6e3-0131b9e713bc_3531x1588.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg aria-hidden="true" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a><figcaption class="image-caption"><em><strong>Intwari Women Leadership Cohort Three Graduates in a group photo.</strong></em></figcaption></figure></div><p>Under the Socioeconomic Inclusion program, we hosted the second cohort of the Tailoring Class, supported teenage mothers with their annual basic school needs, and provided annual health insurance coverage for vulnerable female-headed families in the local community</p><div class="image-gallery-embed" data-attrs="{&quot;gallery&quot;:{&quot;images&quot;:[{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/bf8902ff-cbb9-4904-9587-901101769d6f_2560x1920.jpeg&quot;},{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/5e8008f8-7034-4f93-be68-20d57e007c86_1024x768.jpeg&quot;}],&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;staticGalleryImage&quot;:{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/png&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/73c33bf0-ba25-42c6-ae9d-1472b4da9484_1456x720.png&quot;}},&quot;isEditorNode&quot;:true}"></div><p>Amazingly, we hosted our first cohort of the Intwari Women Digital. These young women are committed to learning essential digital skills so that they can actively engage in the digital economy.</p><div class="image-gallery-embed" data-attrs="{&quot;gallery&quot;:{&quot;images&quot;:[{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/d6a4c3f7-02a6-4267-845d-f77cec32d3ce_2560x1920.jpeg&quot;},{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/e68fc599-0093-4c9f-a931-ac2e80a1a30a_1280x960.jpeg&quot;}],&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;Intwari Women Digital participants during class sessions&quot;,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;staticGalleryImage&quot;:{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/png&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/5990bbbf-e9df-4eeb-9b08-6b83a55beb16_1456x720.png&quot;}},&quot;isEditorNode&quot;:true}"></div><p>Gratefully, I am thankful for the work we did, all of which was made possible with the help of people who stood by our side. Yes, we had big goals to achieve, but we cannot take a step if no one is with us. </p><h3>The Urgent need from me.</h3><p>Since the organisation was initiated, we have been operating from Kiyovu Compound, a physical space to which we no do not have access now. We are seeking a place to relocate to and require urgent assistance with renting or purchasing a permanent space, provided we can raise the necessary funds. I am asking for your <a href="https://secure.actblue.com/donate/womengainrwanda">donation</a> to enable us to afford one. Any amount you can give will make a considerable contribution to our sustainability. </p><p>Together we can do many projects to empower young women in the community.</p><p>Warm Regards</p><p>Francine Ingabire, Executive Director.</p><p></p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://womengain.substack.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">Women GAIN Rwanda is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[I Gained Ability to Lead with Purpose and Confidence_Testimony by Joie Sophie Umuhoza]]></title><description><![CDATA[Intwari Women Leadership Third Cohort Alumna]]></description><link>https://womengain.substack.com/p/i-gained-ability-to-lead-with-purpose</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://womengain.substack.com/p/i-gained-ability-to-lead-with-purpose</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Francine]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 16 Dec 2025 09:47:47 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!hM--!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4144aa0b-fa22-4fee-bbd6-af82cebddf69_750x1000.jpeg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!hM--!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4144aa0b-fa22-4fee-bbd6-af82cebddf69_750x1000.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!hM--!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_424, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4144aa0b-fa22-4fee-bbd6-af82cebddf69_750x1000.jpeg 424w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!hM--!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_848, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4144aa0b-fa22-4fee-bbd6-af82cebddf69_750x1000.jpeg 848w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!hM--!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1272, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4144aa0b-fa22-4fee-bbd6-af82cebddf69_750x1000.jpeg 1272w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!hM--!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1456, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4144aa0b-fa22-4fee-bbd6-af82cebddf69_750x1000.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!hM--!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4144aa0b-fa22-4fee-bbd6-af82cebddf69_750x1000.jpeg" width="750" height="1000" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/4144aa0b-fa22-4fee-bbd6-af82cebddf69_750x1000.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:1000,&quot;width&quot;:750,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:142511,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://womengain.substack.com/i/181670936?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4144aa0b-fa22-4fee-bbd6-af82cebddf69_750x1000.jpeg&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!hM--!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_424, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4144aa0b-fa22-4fee-bbd6-af82cebddf69_750x1000.jpeg 424w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!hM--!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_848, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4144aa0b-fa22-4fee-bbd6-af82cebddf69_750x1000.jpeg 848w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!hM--!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1272, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4144aa0b-fa22-4fee-bbd6-af82cebddf69_750x1000.jpeg 1272w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!hM--!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1456, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4144aa0b-fa22-4fee-bbd6-af82cebddf69_750x1000.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg aria-hidden="true" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a><figcaption class="image-caption">Intwari Women Leadership Alumna, Joie Sophie Umuhoza</figcaption></figure></div><p>This year has been a defining chapter in my leadership journey, one that began the day I joined the 3rd Intwari Women Leadership Cohort organised by Women GAIN Rwanda. Walking into the first session, I carried both hope and curiosity. I wanted to grow, to understand leadership beyond titles, and to connect with women who shared the same passion for making an impact. What I did not expect was how profoundly this program would shape my thinking, purpose, and professional path.</p><p>From the very beginning, the environment felt transformative. The facilitators were not just trainers&#8212;they were storytellers, mentors, and catalysts of change. Each session brought a new perspective, a new challenge, or a reflective moment that pushed me to see myself differently. They taught us leadership not as something abstract, but as a personal journey of intention, self-awareness, and service. Their commitment, patience, and depth of knowledge made every session meaningful. They created a space where we felt safe to question, learn, grow, and even unlearn.</p><h2>Each activity was <em>a teamwork practice</em>.</h2><p>My fellow trainees were equally inspiring. Coming from diverse backgrounds, each woman carried a unique story of courage and ambition. Together, we formed a community&#8212;one that supported, uplifted, and motivated each other. We were not just participants; we became sisters in leadership, united by shared purpose and dreams. Their dedication reminded me that Rwanda is full of brilliant women ready to rise and transform their communities.</p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!jmKe!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F95d69dda-476b-4fac-9706-5a52d9193837_2000x2000.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!jmKe!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_424, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F95d69dda-476b-4fac-9706-5a52d9193837_2000x2000.jpeg 424w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!jmKe!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_848, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F95d69dda-476b-4fac-9706-5a52d9193837_2000x2000.jpeg 848w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!jmKe!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1272, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F95d69dda-476b-4fac-9706-5a52d9193837_2000x2000.jpeg 1272w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!jmKe!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1456, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F95d69dda-476b-4fac-9706-5a52d9193837_2000x2000.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!jmKe!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F95d69dda-476b-4fac-9706-5a52d9193837_2000x2000.jpeg" width="1456" height="1456" 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/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!jmKe!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1456, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F95d69dda-476b-4fac-9706-5a52d9193837_2000x2000.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg aria-hidden="true" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a><figcaption class="image-caption">Pair activity with a fellow trainee.</figcaption></figure></div><p>Through the program, my mindset shifted significantly. I learned that leadership begins with clarity of purpose. It requires empathy, resilience, and the ability to make decisions anchored in values. I discovered the power of <em><strong>emotional intelligence</strong></em>, <em><strong>communication</strong></em>, and <em><strong>strategic thinking</strong></em>. One of the most profound lessons was understanding that true leadership is not about being perfect; it is about being accountable, adaptable, and consistently willing to grow.</p><p>Professionally, the Intwari Women Leadership program pushed me into new levels of confidence and action. I became more intentional with my goals, more strategic in my work, and more courageous in taking on responsibilities that once felt distant. It strengthened my ability to collaborate, lead initiatives, and remain focused on my vision. I began to see challenges not as barriers but as opportunities to apply the leadership tools I was learning.</p><p>Today, I am proud to share that this transformative journey has earned me the&nbsp;<strong>Tailored Leadership Spirit Award</strong>, presented by Women GAIN Rwanda, along with my Certificate of Completion (February&#8211;June 2025). This is my second leadership award, and yet it feels like the beginning of something greater. It is more than recognition&#8212;it is proof of growth, commitment, and the willingness to keep rising.</p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Ehv5!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fdfca04af-16ba-465e-b63a-87068e6f827f_2400x2649.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Ehv5!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_424, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fdfca04af-16ba-465e-b63a-87068e6f827f_2400x2649.jpeg 424w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Ehv5!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_848, 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/__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fdfca04af-16ba-465e-b63a-87068e6f827f_2400x2649.jpeg 424w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Ehv5!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_848, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fdfca04af-16ba-465e-b63a-87068e6f827f_2400x2649.jpeg 848w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Ehv5!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1272, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fdfca04af-16ba-465e-b63a-87068e6f827f_2400x2649.jpeg 1272w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Ehv5!, /__u/womengain.substack.com/w_1456, /__u/womengain.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/womengain.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/womengain.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/womengain.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fdfca04af-16ba-465e-b63a-87068e6f827f_2400x2649.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" loading="lazy"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg aria-hidden="true" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a><figcaption class="image-caption">Recognised for my leadership spirit</figcaption></figure></div><p>To everyone who has supported me along this journey&#8212;your encouragement, wisdom, and belief have been my light. Thank you for shaping the leader I am becoming.</p><p>This milestone serves as a reminder to move forward with purpose, courage, and the unwavering belief that growth is a continuous journey. The best is still ahead.</p><h3><strong>Your Support Matters.</strong></h3><p>Women GAIN Rwanda is working to recruit more young women to join the next cohort of this program, and this is possible with your contribution. Please, give your <a href="https://secure.actblue.com/donate/womengainrwanda">Support</a> today to create opportunities that last a lifetime. I would be happy to see my fellow young women acquire these skills as well. </p><p></p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://womengain.substack.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">Women GAIN Rwanda is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Growing Into a Leader: My Personal Journey Through the Intwari Women Leadership Program]]></title><description><![CDATA[Intwari Women Leadership Program cohort two Alumna]]></description><link>https://womengain.substack.com/p/growing-into-a-leader-my-personal</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://womengain.substack.com/p/growing-into-a-leader-my-personal</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Rosette Tuyisenge]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 05 Dec 2025 13:50:02 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!xaD4!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fbdc23df5-c3e8-4bc6-adaf-5b806f222669_1079x872.jpeg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p></p><div class="image-gallery-embed" data-attrs="{&quot;gallery&quot;:{&quot;images&quot;:[{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/bdc23df5-c3e8-4bc6-adaf-5b806f222669_1079x872.jpeg&quot;}],&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;Honorine, Intwari Women Leadership Cohort two Alumna&quot;,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;staticGalleryImage&quot;:{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/bdc23df5-c3e8-4bc6-adaf-5b806f222669_1079x872.jpeg&quot;}},&quot;isEditorNode&quot;:true}"></div><p>I am Honorine Mushimiyima, an Alumna of the Intwari Women Leadership program, and I am deeply grateful to <strong>Women GAIN Rwanda</strong> for the remarkable opportunity to learn, grow, and reshape my future through their training program. The experience has been transformative both personally and professionally, and it has opened doors I never imagined I could step through.</p><p>Before joining the program, I questioned whether my voice mattered or whether I could make meaningful contributions to others. Today, I stand more prepared, more focused, and more motivated than ever. This program has strengthened my skills and expanded my perspective. It has shown me the kind of impact I am capable of making when I lead with courage and intention.</p><p>I now understand that change begins with small, consistent actions, and I am ready to be part of that change. </p><h3>Advancing Through Skills and Guidance</h3><div class="image-gallery-embed" data-attrs="{&quot;gallery&quot;:{&quot;images&quot;:[{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/475d46e1-ba71-4c4b-8148-a49becdf307c_1280x960.jpeg&quot;}],&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;Training Session&quot;,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;staticGalleryImage&quot;:{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/475d46e1-ba71-4c4b-8148-a49becdf307c_1280x960.jpeg&quot;}},&quot;isEditorNode&quot;:true}"></div><p>Participating in the <strong>Intwari Women Leadership Program</strong> has been one of the most transformative experiences of my life. Through this program, I have grown in ways I never expected and gained a more profound, clearer understanding of what it truly means to be a <strong>good and effective leader</strong>.</p><p>The lessons I received ranged from :</p><ul><li><p>Communication,</p></li><li><p>Values-based leadership,</p></li><li><p>Teamwork,</p></li><li><p>Civic engagement,</p></li><li><p>Community development.</p></li></ul><p>These lessons helped me build confidence and shape my future goals. They taught me that leadership is not about position, but about purpose, responsibility, and the ability to inspire positive change in the community.</p><h3>Giving Back Through Service</h3><div class="image-gallery-embed" data-attrs="{&quot;gallery&quot;:{&quot;images&quot;:[{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/41c8b1bb-7b28-41dc-b730-f27b4310c024_1080x810.jpeg&quot;}],&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;supervising others in group activity&quot;,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;staticGalleryImage&quot;:{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/41c8b1bb-7b28-41dc-b730-f27b4310c024_1080x810.jpeg&quot;}},&quot;isEditorNode&quot;:true}"></div><p>One of the most meaningful outcomes of this journey is that I am now&nbsp;<strong>volunteering in the program, assisting with coordination.</strong> Being able to give back to the same community that empowered me is both humbling and fulfilling. I want to support other young women the way I was supported, and contribute to building a stronger, more confident generation of women leaders.</p><h3>Moving Forward With Purpose</h3><div class="image-gallery-embed" data-attrs="{&quot;gallery&quot;:{&quot;images&quot;:[{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/73569e8a-6c12-4c9b-a517-3d9fd4f8a5fa_977x1080.jpeg&quot;}],&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;Recognition for volunteering&quot;,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;staticGalleryImage&quot;:{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/73569e8a-6c12-4c9b-a517-3d9fd4f8a5fa_977x1080.jpeg&quot;}},&quot;isEditorNode&quot;:true}"></div><p>As I continue this leadership journey, I am committed to applying everything I have learned, whether in my community, my work, or my personal life. I carry forward not only the skills but also the belief that leadership is a continuous practice of growth, service, and intention.</p><p>I am grateful for the mentors, facilitators, and the entire Women GAIN Rwanda team for creating a space where young women like me can grow, discover themselves, and become leaders who uplift others.</p><h3>Your Support Matters a Lot.</h3><p>I remain deeply thankful to everyone who made this program possible. Your investment in young women like me is an investment in a stronger, more empowered future for Rwanda.</p><p>With gratitude and hope for the future, let&#8217;s join together in empowering the next generation of women leaders. Your <a href="https://secure.actblue.com/donate/womengainrwanda">Support</a> today creates opportunities that last a lifetime.</p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://womengain.substack.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">Women GAIN Rwanda is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item></channel></rss>