HUYE— Former commercial sex workers in Tumba in Huye District say they are determined to turn their lives around after leaving the risky business. The 60 women grouped under: “Abiyemeje guhinduka” association, are involved in baskets weaving and growing fruits and vegetables for commercial purposes. Four years ago, they used to spend nights along Tumba and Mukoni roads waiting for their clients until they were sensitised against the illegal trade by SPAC (Stop Prostitution Around the Campus), an association of medical students at the National University of Rwanda (NUR). SPAC was formed with the aim of stopping commercial sex work around the university, which seemed to be a threat to university students. But today, Grace Uwizeyimana, 24-year old mother of one says: “I can sleep peacefully, dress myself, feed my child and socially educate her. I no longer dream of returning to the road.” Despite the fact that some members of this association are HIV positive, they still have hope for a bright future, and those who are infected hold big dreams because they are taking anti-retroviral drugs. As a sign of commitment, they also started a saving scheme. “Sometimes I could even get about Rwf10 000 per day and use the whole of it in one day. But now I can use a little money to survive and save for tomorrow,” Uwizeyimana says. The women say ever since they left the illegal trade, they have regained their respect in society. “The society used to look down upon us … we were despised and always in conflict with security organs. We had earned nothing other than HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases,” another member Clotilde Ahobantegeye, the association’s leader said, appealing to sex workers to abandon this ‘risky’ business. Malachie Nsanzamahoro, the coordinator of SPAC, says they sensitise the women about family planning and help them to market their products both in Rwanda and abroad in order to uplift their economic status. Ends
