Meet Ritah

Hi, my name is Ritah, and I'm from central Uganda (a Muganda by tribe). I was attacked with acid in 2006 because of mistaken identity. I don't know who attacked me and I have no idea why I was attacked. After the acid attack, life was so hard. I was working but had to stop and I had to drop out of school. I failed to get another job. I ended up meeting a lady who taught me how to make baskets, and eventually, I learned how to make other crafts. Now, my only source of income is making and selling these crafts.

Currently, I live with my two children (my son, age 6, and my daughter, age 2) and their cousin. I'm a single parent. With the money I earn from selling these crafts, I provide for my children and pay school fees.

It really means a lot to me to have people from all over the world buying these crafts. I often wonder how I will survive, how will I provide for my children, and then along comes some one buying my crafts. It's like a stream in the desert.

Unfortunately, I don't have a steady market where I sell my crafts, but occasionally, I sell to my friends who want them. I enjoy these crafts because I see it as my job where I work, make profits, and meet my needs. My business goal is to make a crafts training center.

End Acid Violence and RISE have helped me get experience as a trainer in making crafts. I led a workshop in 2017 and in 2018 for other survivors.