On March 10, as part of Women’s History Month, the Village held a workshop for girls interested in writing prose and/or poems exploring their own lived experiences with gender-based issues and their feelings on working together to overcome them. Three second-year students, Kayatesi Ruth, Esther Mukakamanzi, and Teta Butati Deborah, shared the poems they wrote.

Only weak to be strong

By Kayatesi Ruth

She sleeps in the valley

Only to wake up on the top of the mountain

She walks slowly to follow her dreams 

Wherever it might take her

She always rises up 

Even if it’s painful.

She always finds things she enjoy

She always leads with example

She is a mother and a guardian.

She might think that getting hurt is her weakness but

After passing through pain, she rises with power

To protect her legacy with strength.

She listens carefully to her heart

She always stands tall and proud

She knows that there is greatness out there.

She believes that everything is possible in the women’s world

Her strength not only lies in the hugs and kisses she gives

But through her daily work 

Her strength is not only in the meals she cooks but the added value 

And her respect to human rights .

You Will Go Far

By Esther Mukakamanzi

Girl, there’s light inside you

That is brighter than the stars

There’s hope inside you

That can get you through anything.

There is energy inside you

That is so amazing and great

No matter what happens

You have to know that

You can pass through 

All challenges that life brings.

Girl, know that nothing 

Is too good for you

Because you deserve the best

Life has to offer

And you got all it takes 

To reach for it all.

Hello Woman

By Teta Butati Deborah

Hello Woman,

I look around and guess what,

I don't see you

Woman, do you even exist?

Woman, do you know yourself?

Woman, do you know all your shadows?

Woman, you say you can touch the sky but are you sure?

Hello woman,

Let's break the silence

Let’s break the prison that we believe we are out of

Let's do and only do.

Hello woman,

One step and you are out

One step and shoot all stereotypes

One step and the demons are gone

One step to change the world!

Then, I will see you!

Hello woman, 

We need you and her

We need you to support her

We need you to show her the right path

We need you to be the compass for her but not forgetting also him

Then , I will see you!

Hello Woman, 

I am talking to you

You always want to turn the blind eye but not today

I want one thing

Just be accountable for her and you

Never leave her behind

Never turn your back to her

Then, I will see you!

Hello Woman, 

People say you are strong and sometimes you are 

People say you are born to talk and just be sweet

People say that your nickname is kitchen and housewife

Woman, when people are saying let’s steel ourselves and act 

Then, I will see you!

Hello Woman, 

Never say you are alone

When your mom, sister, and neighbor are still fighting for you 

Just do your part

Then, I will see you and everyone else!