From Academic Failure to a new path through tailoring: Anitha*'s story

Anitha*, 26, lives in Gasuru, #Muyinga location in the current #Buhumuza Province. As the eldest of six children, her life took a dramatic turn at the age of 14 when her father passed away. Left alone, her mother struggled to meet the basic needs of her still-dependent children. 

A Childhood Marked by Hardship and Educational Challenges 

Like other children in her village, Anitha*attended Kagwema Primary School, located near her home. However, her family’s difficult living conditions greatly affected her education. The lack of food and school supplies made learning both difficult and irregular. 

While her siblings dropped out of school early, Anitha*persevered and managed to complete post-basic education. Despite her efforts, she scored below 30% in the National Examination in the science section. 

This failure was a major setback for her. She felt useless within her family, especially considering the sacrifices her mother had made to pay her school fees. With no clear alternatives, working in the fields seemed like her only option, even though it caused her deep emotional distress. 

The C4C Program Intervention: A New Opportunity 

In 2022, Anitha*’s family was enrolled in the Children for Change (C4C) project run by SOS Children’s Villages in Burundi through the Family Strengthening Programme. Through social support, Anitha*was guided towards new opportunities to rebuild her future. 

One option was to pursue higher education at a private university located about 10 kilometers from her home, with support from the project. However, this path proved unrealistic. Persistent food insecurity (sometimes only one meal per day), heavy household and farming responsibilities, and the long daily commute made continuing academic studies extremely difficult. 

Faced with these challenges, Anitha*chose a more suitable path: vocational training in tailoring, organized by the C4C project for youth and caregivers. Over six months, she demonstrated strong commitment and determination, acquiring solid skills in cutting and sewing various types of garments. 

Practical Support for Economic Integration 

In June 2025, the C4C project strengthened this training by providing start-up kits, including sewing machines for tailoring graduates. 

With this support, Anitha* joined a tailoring workshop at Kiremba market, near her home. She completed a two-month internship there, also funded by the project. 

Her dedication and resilience were quickly noticed by other tailors. Before long, she began serving her own clients like an experienced professional. 

A Young Entrepreneur on the Rise 

Today, Anitha*has transformed her life. Since January 2026, she has built a strong reputation at Kiremba market thanks to the quality of her work, particularly in making traditional pagne outfits, highly valued by Burundian women. 

Her income has grown significantly, especially during festive periods. She can earn up to 150,000 BIF per week (approximately USD 30). 

Motivated and eager to improve, Anitha* regularly searches for new designs on social media, which she introduces to her customers. Her commitment is remarkable. She sometimes works from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. to meet client deadlines. 

Thanks to her income, she now contributes to her family’s food needs, her personal expenses, and her clothing. 

She proudly states: “I am no longer among the unemployed.” 

A Vision for the Future and a Stabilized Family 

Anitha* is not stopping here. She saves approximately 18,000 BIF (USD 6) per week, with the goal of opening her own tailoring workshop. She also plans to invest in buying land, which she hopes will help her grow her business and acquire additional sewing machines. 

At the same time, her family situation has improved. Her mother has also benefited from support through the C4C project, receiving a start-up kit for a bakery business that now enables her to meet household needs. 

She no longer depends on her children to support the family financially. Her wish is clear: to see her children engage in sustainable and self-reliant projects. 

The C4C programme implemented (2022-2026) in three programme locations is supporting 880 children and young people from 204 families in difficult situation in Muyinga, the northern region of Burundi. Through C4C, 313 parents and caregivers are also receiving support to improve their families' living conditions and ensure a brighter future for their children.  

*Name changed for the sake of privacy