“Shared Action Africa Has Been My Guiding Light” — Nishimwe Aline.
Nishimwe Aline, 21, is a student at Nakivale Vocational Training Institute and a refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo, now living in Nakivale Refugee Settlement in Isingiro District, Uganda.
She expressed deep appreciation to Shared Action Africa for prioritizing the empowerment of girls in all its activities and development programs.
“Shared Action Africa has helped me as a girl, and now I am considered a woman. I am still chasing my dream, and I am in my final year to achieve it. I don’t know where I would be without them,” Aline said.
Over the years, she has participated in numerous Shared Action Africa programs, which she says have transformed her life. She particularly values the family planning services provided, which have enabled her to continue her education without interruption.
“I have grown with Shared Action Africa. My journey has been full of happiness and joyful moments. I started attending their trainings when I was in primary school — learning how to stay clean as a girl, how to manage my menstrual periods, and how to fit confidently into the community. I was empowered, and I became a strong young lady who knows her rights,” she explained.
When she joined high school, Aline says Shared Action Africa continued to guide her through trainings on protecting herself from negative peer pressure, managing her menstrual health wisely, and staying focused on her studies.
“They taught me about mental health, and I no longer felt the deep pain of losing my family members during the war in Congo. I managed to complete primary school, high school, and then join vocational training,” she said.
Now in her final year of a fashion and design course, Aline creates her own designs and has plans for her future. She shared that after turning 18, she entered a relationship but was not ready to have children while still in school. With the guidance of Shared Action Africa health workers, she chose short-term family planning pills, which she takes as prescribed.
“The pills have kept me safe and protected from unwanted pregnancy. I plan to start a family with my boyfriend after school, as we already have marriage plans. Shared Action Africa has walked with me through every stage like a parent. I pray that God blesses them to continue helping people like me,” she concluded.