Ni Nyampinga is Rwanda’s first teen girl brand. Ni Nyampinga, Kinyarwanda for “it is the beautiful girl,” includes a bi-monthly magazine and weekly radio show for girls by girls. With GPI-trained reporters, Ni Nyampinga brings the voice of local girls to the center of Rwandan culture.
KIGALI, RWANDA -- Immaculée Mutuyimana, 18, is in her last year at SOS Secondary School in Kigali, Rwanda’s capital. Mutuyimana is studying carpentry. SOS schools are run by SOS Children, one of the world’s largest children’s charities. There are 118 SOS schools in Africa.
KIGALI, RWANDA -- Women in Rwanda are fast becoming successful entrepreneurs and are a playing a vital role in Rwanda’s private sector. According to the World Bank Group, women head 42 percent of all enterprises here – and 58 percent of enterprises in the informal sector. Women entrepreneurs account for 30 percent of country’s total GDP.
KIGALI, RWANDA -- Water is the source of life. But when water is not clean it can become a source for numerous health problems including intestinal worms, diarrhoea and other infections.
Around the world, more than 3.4 million people die of water borne illnesses each year, making it the world’s leading cause of death. In Rwanda, 80 percent of all diseases affecting the population stem from unclean water.
KIGALI, RWANDA -- Eugenie Uwamariya, 19, says she has always been strong. When her father, sister and brother died, she was left to help care for her mother.
NYAGATARE DISTRICT, RWANDA – Joyce Mbabazi, 42, is an expert in cow’s milk. From the Nyagatare District, known for its abundance of long-horned cows, Mbabazi says she has owned cows for more than 20 years. Today, she owns 15 of these traditional cows. And she uses them to make a living and care for her family of five.
“Who are supposed to be the voice of the voiceless?” asks Noella Nyirabihogo. Being that voice is the journalist’s major responsibility, she says. Her goal is to speak for to the needy people through media.
Lydia Kanyambo is obsessed with movies.
Ritha Bumwe says she strives to be someone who other young women can look up to.
Christine Kampire takes her studies very seriously. But she not only studies hard, she works hard too.
With brown skin, short hair, and a constant smile, Diane Mukamurenzi is working to build a better future.
Sifa Mukayuhi Gisabo, 25, is a beautiful girl who loves being smart in everything.
Allen, 20, lives at Kabeza in Kigali with her family. She is the fourth in a family of eight children. Allen says she likes playing basketball and eating chicken and fries.
