In Her Shoes: Olive

Every heart holds a story. When we share these stories, that is how we learn, relate, and know that we are not alone. Today we are honored to hear from Olive from Rwanda. Fix yourself a cup of tea, open up your heart, and let Olive tell you what it is like to be IN HER SHOES…

…

When I sing songs about where God took me from, I feel stronger.

I kept this secret for several years.

Olive (right) and her friend from church

When I was 16 years old I had to quit going to school before I could graduate because my family didn’t have the money for me to continue. I got a job doing housework for three years. When I was 19 years old, I became so sick that I had to go to the hospital. I met a man at the hospital, and he impregnated me. I hoped that he would marry me. I had the baby and raised her alone. I prayed that the man would love our child, but he stopped coming to see us.

My biggest joy is seeing how smart and wise our daughter is becoming. My biggest hope is that I can raise and provide for her, even though we have no help from her father.

…

*Story told to Ginger Lobdell and translated by Eva Mugisha

**Friendly reminder that all of the women we photograph and share their stories have given their permission.

…

A big MURAKOZE (Thank you) to Olive for sharing her story with us today. We are working on expanding job training in Rwanda so Olive and others can continue to make a living and provide for their families, and girls will not have to sell their bodies. If you would like to spread HOPE around the world, CLICK HERE to purchase a handmade bag from Rwanda for your very own, or CLICK HERE to donate today!

Every heart holds a story. If you have a story from your life that you would like to share, please email Ginger@SheHopes.org or contact us HERE.