Berabose Marceline, a 14-year-old girl from Rwanda residing in the Tongogara Refugee Settlement, shared her transformative journey as a REPSSI beneficiary. Currently in Form 1 (Grade 8), Berabose aspires to become a lawyer. Reflecting on her life before joining the project, she explained, “I was a girl who used to isolate herself. If I faced any challenge, I didn’t feel comfortable sharing with others, and my academic performance suffered.”

Since joining the project, her outlook has changed dramatically. Learning about setting personal goals made her realize the importance of having a clear path toward her dream. “It helped me understand that I need to set goals to fulfill my dreams,” she shared.

Through REPSSI, she also developed communication skills and confidence. “Now, I can socialize with different people and have learned to communicate better with my parents and friends,” she said, adding that her relationships have significantly improved.

The project equipped Berabose with coping skills for managing sadness or fear. When overwhelmed, she visits the REPSSI office, finding comfort and support through activities like games.

Today, Berabose feels confident, participates actively in class, and no longer shies away from presentations. Her academic performance has improved, and her family has noticed the positive changes, with her parents expressing pride in her growth.