Success stories and testimonials from AMI’s beneficiaries
Association Modeste et Innocent (AMI) Association continues, its peace-building activities. Following research results from the Rwandan National Institute of Statistics, which showed that the number of families divorcing has increased. For example, in 2018, 1,311 families divorced in court, and in 2029, the number of divorces reached 8,8941.
As part of its peace-building efforts, AMI taking into account the results of this research and other statistics from the Rwanda Governance Board on the population's living conditions, developed a family cohesion project for families living in conflict, with the aim of reducing divorce rates and combating gender-based violence (GBV). This project was carried out in the districts of Huye and Nyaruguru.
On a daily basis, through training based on good power, AMI facilitators have trained families in conflict. AMI also trained community assistants in family harmony, whose mission was to visit households experiencing conflict and engage in dialogue with them about the harmful effects of living in harmony, and to develop income-generating projects. These families live in complete harmony. Here are some testimonials from AMI beneficiaries
‘My name is MUNYENGABE Canisio, I live in the Rwaniro Sector, Cell Gatwaro Village, Huye District. Before AMI came to train us, my wife and I lived in conflict and daily battles. AMI trained us on how to manage conflict, and we currently live in perfect harmony. We had only one house; now we have built another. Our children are well educated. They study well, and we cover their school fees and other basic needs like clothing and food.’
‘The community family harmony assistants gave us advice on how to reduce conflict in our households because conflicts lead nowhere, especially in the socio-economic spheres of the household.’
‘We were in a bad household, with recurring conflicts and incessant battles. Each time, we filed complaints with the local authorities. We were on the verge of filing for divorce. But God helped us through AMI, who gave us advice, and we have been transformed. We live in perfect harmony.’
‘After our transformation, AMI placed us among the community assistance groups for family harmony. I currently provide advice to my loved ones who are experiencing conflict in their homes.’
'Before, we always lived in conflict, and our loved ones wouldn't sleep because of our noise. It was very difficult. After joining the groups created by AMI, we have been transformed; we are in complete harmony. Relatives and authorities testify to our changes in behavior.'
‘In our household, we have discovered the sources of conflict between spouses. Before, we were ignorant of this issue; now, we are fighting against domestic violence. In our household, there was no communication between us, but today, we communicate very easily, even when traveling to any location. We were previously unaware that a lack of communication causes conflict in households, and I thank AMI for training us on conflict resolution techniques.’
‘In reality, we help households during community meetings in the villages, commonly called ’family evenings' (Umugoroba w'umuryango), during which we provide advice and conduct awareness-raising activities aimed at educating households about harmonious cohesion and promoting socio-economic development. For those who do not participate in these meetings, we organize household-by-household visits. We are seeing tangible results.'
Currently, AMI have transformed households and we have welcomed them into the community assistance groups for family cohesion. Today, they can also help other households to escape conflict.
Today, 1,221 households have emerged from perpetual conflicts thanks to AMI's intervention. They live in complete harmony. Among these households, some were experiencing conflict and violence based on economic assets and illegal marriages. After the awareness-raising sessions and dialogues conducted by AMI, many spouses have legalized their marriages in the Gishamvu sector.
AMI took this opportunity to participate in wedding festivities, offering them wedding gifts, and assisting with small-scale poultry farming activities to develop and combat malnutrition in their households. In the fight against domestic violence, AMI has trained 30 civil society organizations within the forum for combating domestic violence in Rwanda, ‘NFADV TURIHASHYE.’ These organizations have resolved to strengthen their skills and work together to eradicate all domestic violence in Rwanda.