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From Despair to Dreams: Rita’s Inspiring Journey
At just 17, Rita Nantambi’s life changed when an unplanned pregnancy forced her to drop out of school. She felt lost and hopeless, trapped in a toxic relationship fraught with violence and financial instability. In order to survive, she turned to sex work, putting her health and safety at risk.
But then, something miraculous happened. The DREAMS Programme, implemented by the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI), reached out to vulnerable girls in her community of Kasensero, a fishing village in Kyotera district. DREAMS (Determined, Resilient, Empowered, AIDS-free, Mentored, and Safe) provided Rita with essential support and resources to reclaim her life. Through comprehensive training on HIV prevention, vocational skills, and financial literacy, Rita was able to see a glimmer of hope for a brighter future. As she put it, “DREAMS gave me hope to live to see another day.”
With newfound determination and resilience, Rita saved up enough money to enrol at Kampala International University in 2020. Education became her ticket out of despair and into opportunity. Three years later, she graduated with a Second Upper degree in Social Work and Administration. Reflecting on her journey, she shared, “It’s not just about me anymore; it’s about lifting each other up.”
Now, as a full-time DREAMS Liaison Officer for Kyotera district, Rita passionately advocates for other young women facing similar vulnerabilities. She also runs a bakery and soap-making business that employs two of her peers. But Rita’s ambitions don’t stop there. Her ultimate dream is to open a vocational school for vulnerable girls like herself so they can gain essential skills in a safe space.
Through her journey from despair to empowerment, Rita embodies the resilience and hope that the DREAMS programme aims to instil in every young woman. She is truly an inspiration for her community and beyond, demonstrating that “DREAMS is not just about reducing new HIV infections among young women and girls. It is about transforming society.”
