{"id":42,"date":"2025-10-13T15:44:15","date_gmt":"2025-10-13T15:44:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ejotwifuza.org\/index.php\/our-impact\/"},"modified":"2025-10-20T20:34:06","modified_gmt":"2025-10-20T20:34:06","slug":"our-impact","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/ejotwifuza.org\/index.php\/our-impact\/","title":{"rendered":"Our Impact"},"content":{"rendered":"\n \n
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OUR IMPACT<\/h1>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Transforming Lives,
Building Futures \n <\/h2>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n
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Measurable Change, Tangible Results<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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EJO TWIFUZA\u2019s work resonates in the lives of individuals, families, and communities across Rwanda. From saving victims of human trafficking to empowering vulnerable populations through education and socio-economic programs, we are creating a society that values human rights and dignity.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

By the Numbers<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n
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Fighting Human Trafficking<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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268 <\/p>\n

Victims intercepted from human trafficking since 2019.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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4000+<\/p>\n

Traffickers arrested with 5 others under investigation in collaboration with law enforcement.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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4<\/p>\n

people educated on the risks and prevention of human trafficking.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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28<\/p>\n

trained volunteers stationed at critical transit points across Rwanda.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n

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Promoting Health Rights<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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5000+ <\/p>\n

Educated 5000+ individuals
on neglected tropical diseases. \n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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2000+<\/p>\n

Administered 2000+ treatments of Albendazole to children in vulnerable communities.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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46<\/p>\n

Trained 46 community health workers and leaders to combat neglected tropical diseases.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n

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Supporting Vulnerable Populations<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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FOOD <\/p>\n

Provided short-term shelter, food, and healthcare to rescued victims.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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3 TON<\/p>\n

Distributed over 3 tons of food during the COVID-19 pandemic, supporting 1000 vulnerable families.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n

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Stories of Change<\/h3>\n

Real lives, real stories\u2014these are the testimonies of transformation that drive our mission.<\/p>\n

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At 15, Louise was rescued after being\nabandoned at Nyabugogo Bus Station\nduring the COVID-19 lockdown. With support\nfrom our team, she was given shelter and\nreunited with her family, restoring her chance\nfor a bright future.<\/p>\n

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Louise\u2019s 
Escape \n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n Read more <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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Stranded at the Rubavu border, Chantal
was at risk of exploitation. Our intervention ensured her safety through temporary lodging and care until she returned home safely. \n <\/p>\n

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Chantal\u2019s Safe 
Return \n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n read more <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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Kidnapped and left at a transit point in dire condition, Muhimpundu was saved by EJO TWIFUZA monitors. After receiving medical assistance, she was reunited with her family, giving her a new lease on life.<\/p>\n

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Muhimpundu\u2019s 
Rescue \n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n read more <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n

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Rescued from Exploitation \u2014 Louise\u2019s
Escape During Lockdown \n <\/p>\n

<\/span>The COVID-19 lockdown created a perfect storm of vulnerability for young girls seeking work in unfamiliar cities. This is the story of Mukantabana Louise, a 15-year-old from Ngoma District, whose search for domestic employment led her into the hands of a trafficker. Her rescue at Nyabugogo Bus Station underscores the risks faced by children on the move\u2014and the importance of strong protection systems during times of crisis.
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<\/span>A False Promise of Work
  <\/span><\/span>On 27 April 2020, 15-year-old Louise arrived in Kigali hoping to find
domestic work. She had been recruited by another girl she met in
Ngoma District, who promised to help her reach the city and find a job.<\/span>\n <\/p>\n

<\/span>What Louise didn\u2019t know was that this girl was acting as a broker for traffickers. Upon arrival in
Kigali, Louise was taken to the broker\u2019s home\u2014a single woman living alone. Within hours, the broker contacted two different men who sexually exploited Louise in exchange for payment
of 10,000 RWF per encounter. 
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Betrayal and Abandonment
<\/span> \u200b\u200bAfter being abused twice, Louise fell ill and told her trafficker she needed medical attention.
Under the pretense of taking her to a health center, the woman instead abandoned her at
Nyabugogo Bus Station in the evening. With no knowledge of Kigali, no money, and no identification,
Louise was left terrified, alone, and crying.
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Local security personnel noticed her distress and approached her. After learning her story, they
immediately contacted our field monitor for further assistance.
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Timely Intervention Saves a Life<\/span>\n
Thanks to the swift response of local security and our frontline team, Louise was rescued and
brought to safety. She was placed in a temporary shelter designated for trafficking survivors during
the lockdown. Medical care, psychosocial support, and safe accommodation were provided immediately.
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With the support of the police and investigative authorities, an investigation was launched to
locate and prosecute the perpetrators. Louise was eventually reunited with her family, bringing
closure and healing after a traumatic experience.
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Conclusion<\/span>\n
 \u200bLouise\u2019s story reveals how easily children can be lured into exploitative situations under false
promises of employment\u2014especially during crises like the pandemic. It also highlights the
critical role played by trained monitors, local authorities, and emergency shelters in identifying
and protecting vulnerable youth. Through rapid intervention and coordinated action, lives can
be saved, and justice can begin to take shape. \n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n

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Rescued at the Rubavu Border \u2014\nChantal\u2019s Close Call with Trafficking<\/p>\n

The COVID-19 pandemic created unprecedented vulnerabilities, especially\nfor young women seeking work across borders. This is the story of\nMukarutesi Marie Chantal, whose pursuit of a domestic job opportunity\nnearly led her into the hands of traffickers. <\/span>\n
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An Offer from a Stranger<\/span>\n
 On 22 March 2020, 25-year-old Chantal from Nyamagabe District set out\nfor what she believed was a job opportunity in the Democratic Republic\nof Congo. She had received the offer from a stranger she met on a bus\ntraveling the Kibuye\u2013Muhanga route just four days earlier.\nWith few options and high hopes, Chantal made her way to\nthe Rubavu border station.<\/span>\n <\/p>\n

A Plan Falls Apart <\/span>\n
When she arrived at the Rubavu border, she found herself stranded. Due to COVID-19 restrictions\n, the man who was supposed to meet her never showed up. With no contacts and no place to stay,\nshe was taken in by another young woman who offered her temporary accommodation. 
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Chantal remained in this precarious arrangement for three weeks\u2014from 22 March to 12 April 2020.\nBut on the evening of 12 April, the woman asked her to leave, forcing Chantal onto the streets of\nRubavu without food, shelter, or knowledge of the area. 
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Timely Intervention
<\/span> Alone and vulnerable, Chantal was found sitting on the veranda of a local shop by our monitoring\nteam. Recognizing the danger she was in, they approached her and quickly assessed the situation. 
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Chantal was offered food and safe lodging during the lockdown. Once travel restrictions were\nlifted, our team assisted her in safely returning to her family in Nyamagabe. 
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Conclusion<\/span>\n
 Chantal\u2019s story is a stark reminder of how easily young women can be lured into risky situations\nunder the promise of employment. It also highlights the importance of on-the-ground\nmonitoring and swift intervention to prevent trafficking during times of crisis. \n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n

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Rescued at Nyabugogo \u2014Muhimpundu\u2019s Ordeal and Recovery<\/p>\n

<\/span>In a world where young people\u2014especially girls\u2014are increasingly vulnerable to exploitation, stories like that of Muhimpundu remind us of the urgent need for vigilance and rapid response. At just 17 years old, she fell victim to a brutal crime while traveling alone. Her journey from abduction to recovery highlights the dangers faced by youth on the move and the life-saving impact of timely intervention.
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<\/span> A Dangerous Ride
<\/span>On what should have been a routine trip to Kamonyi, 17-year-old
Muhimpundu accepted a ride from a group of men in a taxi who claimed they could help her reach her destination. Instead of taking her to Kamonyi,<\/span>\n <\/p>\n

<\/span>the men took advantage of her trust, kidnapping her and sexually assaulting her. After the attack, they stripped her of all her belongings\u2014including her phone, money, and national ID\u2014and abandoned her at Nyabugogo bus station in a severely weakened condition.
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<\/span>Left Behind and Alone<\/span>\n
<\/span> \u200b\u200b\u200bDazed, traumatized, and with no way to call for help, Muhimpundu was found crying alone at the Nyabugogo bus station. She had no identification, no money, and no means of contacting her family. It was there that our field monitors spotted her and immediately stepped in to provide support. Local security personnel noticed her distress and approached her. After learning her story, they immediately contacted our field monitor for further assistance.
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<\/span>Swift Action Saves a Life<\/span>\n
Recognizing the severity of her condition, our team intervened quickly. Muhimpundu was taken to the Isange Gender-Based Violence (GBV) center at Police Hospital for emergency medical care and psychological support. A full investigation was launched in coordination with local police and the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) to track down the perpetrators.
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Thanks to the prompt actions of our frontline staff and the collaboration with law enforcement and health professionals, Muhimpundu received the care and protection she desperately needed. She was later reunited with her family, bringing a measure of peace after a harrowing experience.
Conclusion<\/span>\n
 \u200b\u200bMuhimpundu\u2019s story is a tragic but powerful example of how quickly a simple journey can turn into a nightmare when trust is exploited. It also demonstrates the critical importance of having trained personnel stationed at high-risk transit points to identify and assist victims of trafficking and gender-based violence. With early intervention and coordinated support, survivors like Muhimpundu can begin to heal and reclaim their futures. \n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

OUR IMPACT Transforming Lives, Building Futures Measurable Change, Tangible Results EJO TWIFUZA\u2019s work resonates in the lives of individuals, families, and communities across Rwanda. From saving victims of human trafficking to empowering vulnerable populations through education and socio-economic programs, we are creating a society that values human rights and dignity. By the Numbers Fighting Human … Continue reading “Our Impact”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":3,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-42","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ejotwifuza.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/42","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ejotwifuza.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ejotwifuza.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ejotwifuza.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ejotwifuza.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=42"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/ejotwifuza.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/42\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":64,"href":"https:\/\/ejotwifuza.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/42\/revisions\/64"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ejotwifuza.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=42"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}