Relationships

Rudasingwa Lorette and her mother, Bubanje Rosalie, discuss the secrets to a successful marriage. Rudasingwa Lorette has recently gotten married and admires her parents' marriage and asks her mother how she can recreate the success they have had in remaining together. Bubanje Rosalie offers her advice about keeping a happy household through mutual respect between spouses and similar expectations in marriage.

Uwamurera Yvone asks her step-sister, Niyonteze Olive, to tell her about their family’s past. How did their father die in the genocide and how Uwamurera Yvone’s mother was left without inheritance. How Niyonteze Olive worked as a domestic worker, preserved herself, and was able to improve her life. Uwamurera Yvone wants to know how the family will take care of her in the future. Niyonteze Olive reminds her of the support that exists from her grandmother and other relatives, and advises her to be patient.

Uwihoreye Seraphine asks her aunt, Mukagatare Laetitia for advice on dating, intimate relationships, and the meaning of personal faith. Mukagatare Laetitia talks about her own adolescence and stresses the importance of women obtaining an education before they start worrying about men. Aunt and niece discuss Rwandan gender norms and Uwihoreye Seraphine learns how to protect herself in future relationships.

Umuvandimwe Marie Claire looks up to Mukamana Theopista, and wants to hear about her friend's past in order to learn from her. When asked about what “was your happiest moment and what was your saddest moment,” Mukamana Theopista discusses growing up in poverty and moving through many tragedies into a positive present. She thanks God and her loving husband for supporting her through house fires, illness, and lost children. She encourages Umuvandimwe Marie Claire to be thankful for what she has and to have faith that she will have a good partner and strong marriage.

With a focus on the importance of kindness and acceptance, Bankundiye Albertine tells her friend Nyinawumuntu Violette about her family’s past. She talks about her father, an educated man who was killed in the genocide, who would take children off the streets and help them get into schools. His good deeds and reputation inform Bankundiye Albertine’s actions and continue to keep her safe. She also mentions her challenges with her mother’s side of the family. Nyinawumuntu Violette offers consolation and advises Bankundiye Albertine to be loving towards her family and they will love her back.

Nyirambarushimana Devote takes this opportunity to give her daughter, Uwimana Grace advice, for she wants Grace to live a better life than she did. She says that the most important thing is to work hard and to always cooperate with others. Nyirambarushimana Devote emphasizes that if you work well with others you can achieve much more than if you work only by yourself. Uwimana Grace is thankful for this advice, and she offers to help her mother to support the family.