Rising From Silence

When Amina fled her home during conflict, she carried only her children, a small bag of clothes, and a weight that words could not describe. Arriving in Mpigi as a refugee, she found safety — but not peace. The trauma of violence, displacement, and uncertainty followed her everywhere. She barely spoke, avoided crowds, and had no idea how she would rebuild her life.

Amina first learned about RAVT Innovation Center through a community volunteer who noticed her isolation. Although hesitant, she attended one of RAVT’s psychosocial support circles. She sat quietly the first day, listening to other women share their experiences of loss, survival, and rebuilding. For the first time, she realized she was not alone.

Over weeks, with guidance from RAVT’s mental health facilitators, she slowly began to speak. She shared her fears, cried openly, and received comfort — not pity. Through trauma-healing sessions, art therapy, and peer support, Amina rediscovered her voice. The silence that once held her hostage began to break.

But healing was only the beginning. Amina enrolled in RAVT’s Skills & Livelihoods training, where she learned tailoring and basic entrepreneurship. She practiced daily, sewing baby clothes and school uniforms. RAVT later connected her to a women’s savings and entrepreneurship group, helping her access startup materials and small markets.

Today, Amina operates a small sewing stall near Mpigi town. Her customers know her not as “the refugee woman,” but as a skilled, reliable tailor. She earns an income, supports her children, and stands proudly on her own feet. Beyond her business, she volunteers during psychosocial sessions, encouraging other refugee girls and women who come in afraid, just as she once did.

Amina’s story reflects what RAVT believes: every person, no matter their past, deserves dignity, opportunity, and a chance to rebuild their future.