As we continue to celebrate International Women’s Day, we are inspired by powerful women, like Ruth, who overcome all odds to follow their dreams and rise above their difficult circumstances.
Ruth could have easily given up.
She and her family were forced to flee their home in South Sudan and settle with 15,000 other refugees in a camp in Uganda.Sharing camp with so many fellow refugees is difficult. Tensions arise among host communities and competition over limited resources can make daily life a struggle.
If fleeing home and living in tough conditions wasn’t enough, Ruth was forced to drop out of school because her family could no longer afford the fees.
“After I left school … life became very hard,” Ruth says.
Ruth was determined to make a better future for herself.
When you support girls like Ruth, you transform lives … for good.
Your gift can be the help a girl needs to break through the barriers and achieve her dreams.
And, if anyone knows the perils of barriers, it’s Ruth. Yet, despite her dire circumstances, she did not give up — she dug deep and persevered.
Achieving her dreams
Thanks to the support of friends like you, Ruth joined one of Plan’s business training programs where she learned critical business skills, including record keeping, branding market assessment and business planning.
An empowered Ruth is now a proud business owner of a thriving corner store where she sells a variety of everyday essentials, including charcoal, dried fish, tomatoes, scissors, padlocks and dresses.
Ruth was determined to create her own future in which she could help her family — and thanks to the generous gifts of friends like you, she succeeded!
Business was going so well that Ruth took out a loan to expand.
“I thought to myself: I am capable; I am strong,” she says.
Ruth is now the proud owner of her own successful small business.
Ruth has since repaid the loan and is “happy and excited” is now able to support her parents, buy food to feed her family and pay the school fees for her younger siblings.
“I am now living happily,” Ruth says. “I’m shining and proud.”
Ruth’s journey from being on the run to running a store is a testament to the power of perseverance and the impact of community support. There are other girls like Ruth who have the potential to shine brightly with a little help from someone who cares.
Please consider a gift today to help more girls achieve the future of their dreams.
Honor women all year long with your support of Plan
As a supporter and advocate for girls all over the world, you can honor women in many ways! In addition to giving a gift from your heart today, you can also:
- THANK a woman in your life who has inspired you by mailing a handwritten note, grabbing a meal together, hosting a video call or sending a text.
- EXPLORE our International Women’s Day webpage at planusa.org/IWD2025 and learn about even more ways you can get involved.
- SMILE, knowing you are making a difference by supporting girls and helping them reach their wildest dreams!
Thank you for your support.
