How Valérie went from vulnerability to autonomy in 5 years.
A five-year journey of one of the women we support at Femme d'Impact+, told through her own milestones and words.
The initial challenge
When she joined the organisation, Valérie faced extreme financial vulnerability. With no savings or investment prospects, she struggled to secure lasting stability for her family.
Our approach
Our intervention focused on two pillars: mindset transformation — coaching to break the cycle of poverty and encourage her to step out of her comfort zone — and financial literacy, by instilling a rigorous and progressive saving discipline.
Timeline of success
Taking action: with her very first savings, Valérie bought her first 2 goats.
Consolidation: her herd grows to 10 goats. The association helps her enter the formal banking system through a partner microfinance.
Today: solely thanks to her accumulated and reinvested savings, Valérie has acquired a plot of land and is currently building her own home for her family.
“I've changed how I see life. Today, I'm building for my children.”
— NSHIMIRIMANA Valérie
Conclusion
Valérie's story demonstrates the effectiveness of close-range support: by changing her mindset and mastering saving tools, a vulnerable woman can become a self-sufficient homeowner.
Key indicators
Reported by Christa Bella IZERE, media officer