Profiles : Fulfill your dreams

Astrida Uwera is a young woman who recently started her online magazine, ‘Agasaro Magazine.’ She shares her experience and the secret behind her success. After Journalism school at the National University of Rwanda (NUR), Uwera worked in the media field for four years. She has always been interested in writing about Rwandan women issues and lifestyles. She noticed that though Rwanda was known in Africa and worldwide as a country that has achieved great strides fostering women empowerment, very few women were known as successful. “You asked someone to name one successful Rwandan woman; only two or three names came up. These would be politicians or musicians. Yet there were several out there who were doing great things, especially the entrepreneurs,” Uwera said. That is where she derived the idea of starting a woman’s magazine which would shed more light on the image of Rwandan women. However, she says the magazine isn’t just for women, “it talks about women and anyone can read and enjoy it.” Agasaro Magazine was launched last year in September, and targeted mostly professional women. Several stories of women are published that focus on their achievements. The magazine explores topics surrounding beauty, fashion, relationships, health, parenting, and cookery. “I realized that through the magazine, I would help women to face their challenges. For example, how to manage and balance work, home and studies daily,” said Uwera. She said she chose to go for internet media to communicate with the public through her website www.agasaro.com because the internet is getting popular by the day. “I first thought about having it printed but I found out that in these days the internet is getting more used, especially my target field,” she said. She said: “All women who have something they want to do, should just start doing it. Start small and slowly by slowly, you will grow and be confident.” “If you want to achieve your goals you have to take risks and go for it.” Uwera represents many Rwandan women who believe that goals, projects and dreams can be fulfilled. enila38@yahoo.fr