My name is Iteriteka Claire, and my journey began in the vibrant city of Gitega, where I was born and raised. My life has been shaped by the absence of my father, who left my mother just before my birth, leaving a gap I have felt throughout my life. Growing up, I lived with my loving grandmother. This resilient woman nurtured me until I reached an age where I was ready to take on the responsibility of caring for my younger siblings, who resided with my mother.
Throughout my childhood, I faced hardship and mistreatment because I couldn’t attend school. This made it difficult for me to find work to support my family. With four siblings relying on me, I made the painful decision to sacrifice my education to ensure they could pursue theirs. I took it upon myself to seek out employment, determined to provide for my siblings’ educational needs.
In the depths of my struggles, my faith in God remained unwavering. I believe wholeheartedly in His goodness and His ability to provide support in challenging times. When help finally came my way, it arrived through an incredible organization called Together for Development, which I learned about through a helpful friend who assisted me in registering for a sewing class. I managed to gather some funds for the training by doing small-scale sewing projects, like mending clothing for friends and neighbors.
Returning home to share the news of my acceptance into the sewing class was a moment of profound pride for me. As I began to learn the art of sewing, I felt a sense of fulfillment and joy. Every day, I prioritize acquiring new skills, eager to improve my craft. Although I find making trousers particularly challenging, I am steadily making progress, driven by my desire to use this talent to generate an income and support my family. The only significant hurdle I face is obtaining fabric. Still, with my mother’s unwavering encouragement, I know we can conquer this challenge together.
While the shirts I create don’t fit my siblings, my mother and I decided to take a proactive approach and sell them at the local market. It’s a small but meaningful step toward our financial independence.
I cannot express enough gratitude to Together for Development for their incredible support of our community in Gitega. Many individuals and families are in desperate need of assistance, and it is rare to find those willing to lend a helping hand. May God bless you for your selfless efforts to uplift our community. Please continue to inspire and bless others with your acts of kindness and generosity.
Comentários