Verses of Equality
On March 10, as part of Women’s History Month, the Village held a workshop for girls interested in writing prose and/or poems exploring their own lived experiences with gender-based issues and their feelings on working together to overcome them. Three second-year students, Kayatesi Ruth, Esther Mukakamanzi, and Teta Butati Deborah, shared the poems they wrote.
Only weak to be strong
By Kayatesi Ruth
She sleeps in the valley
Only to wake up on the top of the mountain
She walks slowly to follow her dreams
Wherever it might take her
She always rises up
Even if it’s painful.
Author Ruth Kayatesi
She always finds things she enjoy
She always leads with example
She is a mother and a guardian.
She might think that getting hurt is her weakness but
After passing through pain, she rises with power
To protect her legacy with strength.
She listens carefully to her heart
She always stands tall and proud
She knows that there is greatness out there.
She believes that everything is possible in the women’s world
Her strength not only lies in the hugs and kisses she gives
But through her daily work
Her strength is not only in the meals she cooks but the added value
And her respect to human rights .
You Will Go Far
By Esther Mukakamanzi
Girl, there’s light inside you
That is brighter than the stars
There’s hope inside you
That can get you through anything.
Author Esther Mukakamanzi
There is energy inside you
That is so amazing and great
No matter what happens
You have to know that
You can pass through
All challenges that life brings.
Girl, know that nothing
Is too good for you
Because you deserve the best
Life has to offer
And you got all it takes
To reach for it all.
Hello Woman
By Teta Butati Deborah
Hello Woman,
I look around and guess what,
I don't see you
Woman, do you even exist?
Woman, do you know yourself?
Woman, do you know all your shadows?
Woman, you say you can touch the sky but are you sure?
Author Deborah Butati
Hello woman,
Let's break the silence
Let’s break the prison that we believe we are out of
Let's do and only do.
Hello woman,
One step and you are out
One step and shoot all stereotypes
One step and the demons are gone
One step to change the world!
Then, I will see you!
Hello woman,
We need you and her
We need you to support her
We need you to show her the right path
We need you to be the compass for her but not forgetting also him
Then , I will see you!
Hello Woman,
I am talking to you
You always want to turn the blind eye but not today
I want one thing
Just be accountable for her and you
Never leave her behind
Never turn your back to her
Then, I will see you!
Hello Woman,
People say you are strong and sometimes you are
People say you are born to talk and just be sweet
People say that your nickname is kitchen and housewife
Woman, when people are saying let’s steel ourselves and act
Then, I will see you!
Hello Woman,
Never say you are alone
When your mom, sister, and neighbor are still fighting for you
Just do your part
Then, I will see you and everyone else!