From Despair to DuHope: Angelique's Journey of Transformation

Angelique’s life began shrouded in hardship. At a young age, the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsis robbed her of her parents, plunging her into a profound and lasting instability. Forced to leave school due to poverty, she found herself drawn into sex work at just 16, influenced by friends, and feeling as though this harsh street life was her inescapable destiny.

For years, Angelique endured the brutal realities of the streets. She faced sexual abuse, beatings, and often went unpaid for her services. Her days were consumed by heavy drinking, a habit that fueled poor hygiene and a constant focus on alcohol from morning till night. Her financial situation was dire; she and her youngest daughter were perpetually hungry and deeply in debt. Angelique herself admits, “I was so careless in how I used money. It was all spent on alcohol and I knew it was a horrible habit - I just didn’t know how to stop it.” She explained, “I never had any financial progress as a sex worker; I was always hungry as well as my child and was in debt. Any little money I could get I would spend it on alcohol instead of on what matters, like food, rent, my daughter’s needs, and other needs. Even if you gave me a lot of money I would never spend it on anything useful.”

This destructive spending pattern led to a severe decline in her health; she lost significant weight and was constantly ill. The deep-seated issues alienated her family, including her other children, who believed any help would be futile. Unable to care for all her children, she left some in her sister’s care, straining their relationships. Her youngest daughter, ever watchful, would worryingly ask why she worked so late, questions Angelique would try to dismiss with a lie. Angelique vividly recalls the constant danger, knowing other women from the streets who had died, and she was simply grateful to be alive.

In 2022, Angelique’s path dramatically shifted. She was introduced to DuHope and felt an immediate, powerful desire to be part of their program—a feeling she now describes as “a dream coming true.” She reflects that joining DuHope is “the best thing that’s ever happened to her.”

Her transformation, guided by the dedicated DuHope staff and her newfound Christian faith, has been profound. She credits God with delivering her from alcohol addiction, freeing her from the daily pull of bars. This spiritual change brought with it a new wisdom in managing money. Now, every dollar is spent on true priorities: rent, nutritious food, hygiene items, her daughter's school needs, and diligently paying down debts. Financial freedom, once an impossible dream, is now her reality; she can manage even a small sum like $10 wisely.

Angelique’s physical health has rebounded remarkably. Her meals now consistently include a healthy balance of vegetables, fruits, proteins, and carbohydrates—knowledge she gained directly from DuHope's Healthy Eating course. Her skin glows, she’s gained healthy weight, and the constant illness is gone. Her daughter’s health has improved alongside hers. Beyond her personal well-being, being at DuHope has begun to mend the fractured relationships with her children, who are relieved she is no longer on the street. Her youngest daughter now happily walks with her to DuHope each morning, a testament to the immense positive change she sees in her mother. 

Angelique has also bravely ventured into a side business, selling charcoal and cooked beans. Her long-term goal is inspiring: to open a business where she can teach the invaluable skills she is learning at DuHope to other women in need. While she still plans to move to a safer neighborhood, especially for her teenage daughter, she feels secure in seeking DuHope's guidance to achieve this dream. Angelique expresses deep gratitude for the DuHope staff’s amazing work, acknowledging that her economic, physical, spiritual, and emotional life is now truly flourishing.