Building a Future with Hope: Ivronie’s Story of Transformation with Fonkoze

Ivronie’s life has transformed in ways she never imagined. Not long ago, she was a single widow raising three children on her own, living in a home that didn’t belong to her. After her husband passed away, she had to rely on working the land he left behind and selling produce at the market to support her family. It was a tough life, but she managed, always determined to care for her children.

Then, Ivronie met a man who was willing to help her with her children. He purchased a small piece of land, but they didn’t have the resources to build a home. He also bought a horse to assist her in her business, but their plans were still limited. When she gave birth to a child with her new husband, she could no longer go to the market regularly. “I have no one to watch the children consistently, and my husband is often away,” she explained.

Joining Fonkoze’s Chemen Lavi Miyò (CLM) program changed everything for Ivronie and her family.

With support from CLM, Ivronie and her husband were able to build a new home on the land they now own. They added a window on one side of the house where Ivronie runs a small grocery business. “It’s not a big business. Neighbors often buy on credit, and it’s difficult to get them to pay,” she says. But it’s the best she can do for now, balancing the needs of her family, including a young baby. Her husband helps by taking the baby with him on Mondays while Ivronie goes to the market to buy more goods. She dreams that when her child gets older, she’ll be able to run her business more regularly, traveling to the market in Laskawobas.

Ivronie’s small business is a key source of hope. Each week, she’s able to save money through her Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA), a critical step toward financial independence. Thanks to the livestock she purchased with program support, her animals are thriving. Ivronie hopes that, just like other members in her VSLA group, she’ll be able to buy a cow once her cycle is complete. While she doesn’t have a detailed plan yet for what she’ll do with the cow, she knows it’s an important next step for her family’s future.

Through the CLM program, Ivronie is not just surviving. She is building the foundation for a better life for her children and a brighter future for herself and her husband. With support from Fonkoze, Ivronie’s hopes are becoming a reality—one that will be felt for generations to come.

Your support can help other women like Ivronie take bold steps toward a future full of possibilities.