Q&A with Handspun Hope Security Guard, Christine
Today, we want to introduce you to another invaluable member of the Handspun Hope staff in Rwanda. Christine is our only female security at the cooperative in Musanze and offers a unique perspective.
Please welcome Christine!
Q: Christine, we’re so happy to talk to you. Tell us a little about yourself AND YOUR FAMILY.
A: I am 36 years old and am single. I am the second born in a family of nine children, but five of my siblings have died - two were killed in the civil wars of 1996 and three more from various illnesses.
My mother died when I was ten years old due sickness and my father died in June 1996. He was also killed during the civil wars. I finished my secondary school studies in Human Sciences in 2006 and I continued into a university to study accounting.
Q: How long have you worked for Handspun Hope? Is this your first time to work as a security guard?
A: I have worked for Handspun Hope since October of 2018. Yes, this is my first job working in security, though I received training from a high SEC security company.
Q:Tell us about your work day. What are some of your responsibilities?
A: I wake up at 4:45 in the morning, pray and then go to work. It takes me one hour and twenty minutes to walk from my home to my work place. I start my work at 7:10am.
As soon as I get to work, I patrol the premises to make sure everything is safe and in its place. Then, I go into my office and take five minutes to pray. Next, I continue with recording employees attendance and ensure that they are respecting all entrance regulations. (especially washing hands properly, taking their body temperatures, wearing face masks, and maintaining proper social distances).
At 9:30am, I start recording attendance in a software format, consulting with group supervisors and counselors to know those who are absent and reasons why.
At: 11:30. I break for 30 minutes to take my lunch. ( I take my lunch earlier so that I am able to ensure respect of social distancing among the ladies during their lunch break which goes from 12:30 to 1:15.)
In the afternoon, I continue daily work until 4:30. From that hour, I start to record outgoing information. Some ladies, who live very far away, start to leave work at 4:30pm. I leave work at 4: 40 pm.
Q: What is something you enjoy about working for Handspun Hope?
A: I love that Handspun Hope is a Christian organization and that praying and knowing God is valued here.
Q: What is something you see - in your own life or community - that gives you hope?
A: I am hopeful because of the security and good governance provided by our country’s leadership.
