Artisan Spotlight: Marie Claire

Marie Claire is 32, a single mother, with a 7-year-old son. She is a woman of very few words,  down to earth and calm. She grew up in a loving family and her parents did everything they could to provide for all her needs.

Her decision to become a sex worker was because of her friend who lied to her saying that she would find a good job in the city. She naively left her village without telling her family, who looked for her for days but could not find her.

Staying with her friend in Kigali, she was hoping for a decent job, but she noticed that her friend would slip away in the middle of the night. She kept wondering where she disappeared to. After a few months, her friend became frank with her that she was a sex worker and said that Marie Claire should think of joining her instead of sitting and doing nothing.

She felt disappointed, but felt she had no other choice - she had dropped out of school, she was new in the city, and had no idea where to look for a job or who to ask.

She recalls that she didn’t come across many challenges on the street compared to the rest of the women, except for sometimes being beaten. She avoided fights and she was lucky most of her clients were not horrible and did not hurt her in a significant way.

She met the father of her son on the street; they dated for a while but the relationship ended when he left without letting her know. She informed him about the baby and he was willing to support them. She is grateful that even though they do not have a relationship anymore, that he helps to provide for their son. 

Marie Claire found out about DuHope through Open The Gates and it has been one of the biggest blessings in her life. She is excited about the knowledge she is getting, and she enjoys making earrings and necklaces. 

She feels financially stable and is financially responsible. Her son’s school fees are paid, she is practicing good hygiene, and feels good about where she is at in her life.