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Euphrasie Yankurije is a teen mom who got impregnated at her 17 years old. She used to be studying but after giving birth, she dropped out the school. She lived the miserable life as her mother who is single mother was the only one responsible for everything ; feeding the 6 children (Euphrasie and her 5 siblings) besides 1 grandchild. This mother provides to her children from working 600 Rwandan Francs per day from neighbors. If she was not able to get this work, the family should starve. The other very problematic challenge this family had is lacking appropriate shelter as they have small, damaged and very old house. Euphrasie, the old child among others, who could be supporting her mother in feeding the family, was having that little child but also still having mental distractions since she lost the hope of life the time of getting unwanted pregnancy.

Euphrasie Y. got screened, found eligible and enrolled in the program in FY 21. With sessions of AGYW beneficiaries in Safe Spaces, in her Isheja group, on SRHR, GBV prevention, life skills and other sessions, Euphrasie integrated herself again in the society. The mentor who helps them insisted on supporting them in psychosocial manner to ensure their hope in life get back. Through home visits to AGYW homes done by the volunteer and staff of the program, it was found that Euphrasie’s family living conditions at home were really miserable which ended in engaging into advocacy for this family. The program staff and volunteer did advocacy for this family at sector level for new home and food, but also continued visiting the family to support psychosocially. The advocacy was in the end well-received and the sector working with the neighbors supported the family in building a new home for the family and provided them food. The program also enrolled Euphrasie in the TVET and she is getting supported by USAID Turengere Abana Program in getting trained in tailoring.

The family and Euphrasie are so thankful to the program’s lasting long impacts on the family in different corners including shelter advocacy, life hopefulness restoration, as well as economic support in her attending TVET and abilities she is getting. “We should not imagine living in a house which is not leaking. The neighbors, families and leaders did never support or take initiative of helping us but thanks to USAID Turengere Abana, Thanks to FXB Rwanda for having thought of us to get us a very good improved housing. I really see things changing after joining this program. Through Safe Spaces we share with my colleagues about our lives, how it is not the end of life having given birth at early age, and with the support of mentors we gain hope back day by day.” Says Euphrasie thanking both program, and organization for their very great support.

The family is now living in the improved shelter, getting follow up support from the local level on food, regained the hope of life as for today you can least see smiles on the face of members, and Euphrasie is doing great heading to being a good tailor to support her family.