I’m a proud wife and mother. Recently I’ve been able to give myself another title I’m proud of—successful working woman. It’s taken all of my 53 years to get to this point.

My birthplace is home to the worst violence and the highest number of deaths since World War II. I’m talking about the town of Walungu in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Torture, mutilation and sexual violence here have been directed against tens of thousands—including me.

We fled to the city of Bukavu, where I now live with my husband, five sons and two daughters.

We used to eat only one meal a day—flour with cassava leaves. Now we eat twice a day. We have flour, beans, oil, salt. My family thought we were rich when we ate rice with beans.

Things started to change a few years ago when by chance I saw a car passing by with a sign that said “Women for Women International.” I didn’t know what it was, but I liked the idea of women helping women. Weeks later I saw the car again. This time I chased after it.

The first thing I learned when I enrolled in the group’s yearlong classes in 2006 was that women have rights in the family and in society. We had lived as what’s called internally displaced persons. We were treated as nothing; I started believing it.

If you’re poor, nobody is interested in you. But in these classes, I was told I’m important. Gaining back my self-confidence and self-worth was the first step. Then we learned about small-business development.

I started making soap at home to sell even before I graduated. I went to the school on weekends to use the cutting board. My trainer said I had courage and strength.

I’m now a self-sufficient provider for my family, able to put my children through school. This is extraordinary for a poor woman in Congo. This is why I work.

I carry my box of soap on top of my head because I am proud to be a businesswoman and an entrepreneur. I go up to people and ask, “Would you like to buy some soap?” My clients include schools and local shops.

I pool resources with other women in my village. We invest in our businesses. I have a savings account. I trained one of my daughters in these skills so she’ll have a better future.

Working has helped me find my place in my family and in my village. They treat me like a valued person.

I feel free. Learning a skill so that I can work and provide for my family revived my broken soul.

Pictured: Julienne, far left cutting soap in her village in Bukavu. To learn more about Women for Women international, go to womenforwomen.org.