They asked about our dreams, not just our pain

When the AWE team first came to our community, I expected them to ask the usual questions about problems and challenges. Instead, they asked: “What are your dreams? What do you want for your future?”

That simple shift in focus changed everything for me. For years, I had been defined by my struggles—as a survivor, as someone who needed help. But in that moment, someone was asking me to think beyond survival, to imagine a life of dignity and possibility.

The Pride of a Woman programme gave me the tools and support to turn those dreams into reality. Through skills training, mentorship, and connection with other women, I learned that I could build a future on my own terms.

Today, I run a small business that supports my family. But more than that, I walk with confidence, knowing that my voice and my dreams matter. The programme didn’t just give me resources—it helped me reclaim my sense of self-worth.