The visit centred on two of HSMD’s most pressing needs: economic empowerment and access to menstrual hygiene. In response, Zaria Court Hotel donated a two-year supply of reusable sanitary pads for 100 girls, each recipient receiving a complete pack sufficient to cover their full monthly cycle.
The choice of reusable pads was intentional and thoughtful: a sustainable, dignified solution that addresses a recurring need without placing an ongoing financial burden on women who already face significant economic hardship.
“There is a special kind of warmth you feel when you witness pure determination and hope, and we experienced that today at HSMD. Stepping away from the day to day of Zaria Court Hotel to spend time with these mothers and their children was a grounding experience.
“Their courage in the face of daily challenges is a lesson in humanity , and we are proud to stand beside them, not just as a hotel, but as neighbours and advocates,” said Walid Choubana, General Manager, Zaria Court Hotel, Tapestry Collection by Hilton.
Beyond the material donation, Zaria Court Hotel presented HSMD with a Certificate of Recognition, a formal acknowledgment of the organisation’s tireless work in championing the rights and wellbeing of single mothers and girls with disabilities in Rwanda. HSMD’s vision of “a society where single mothers and girls with disabilities are self-reliant, live a dignified life free from violence” resonates deeply with Zaria Court Hotel’s own belief that prosperity in a community cannot be selective.
“We appreciate Zaria Court Hotel from our hearts for choosing to come and celebrate Women’s Month with us. You have seen our mothers and heard their testimonies . Now go and be our ambassadors. Advocate for the rights of single mothers with disabilities, be their voice, and help carry their stories far enough to change their lives,” said Ms. Tumwine Winnie, Executive Director, Hope for Single Mothers with Disabilities.
Perhaps the most quietly powerful moment of the visit was when the hotel’s team sat down to listen- Truly listen, to the stories shared by HSMD beneficiaries. Women who have navigated poverty, disability, social exclusion, and gender-based violence while raising children alone and willing to share their journeys with openness and grace. It was a moment that, as the Zaria team described it, “truly reinforced the importance of why we want to contribute impact into the community around us.”
“Living with visual impairment while raising a child alone is a challenge the world rarely stops to acknowledge. Too often, we are invisible. When Zaria Court Hotel walked through our doors, they brought more than gifts , they brought dignity. They sat with us, they listened, and they made us feel that our lives and our struggles matter. That kind of recognition gives you the strength to keep going. It reminded us that we are not alone,” noted Chantal Juru, Member, Hope for Single Mothers with Disabilities.
HSMD has been operational in Rwanda since 2018. The organisation works through an intersectional approach, recognising that single mothers and girls with disabilities face compounded barriers rooted in gender, disability, poverty, and geography.
Its programs span economic empowerment through skills training and microfinance support, protection from gender-based violence, access to sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR), legal literacy, mental health services, and feminist leadership development. At its core, HSMD advocates for a Rwanda where no woman’s potential is capped by her circumstances.
“We came here to be with you today, to be part of this community and to show you that there are people out there who think of you every day. We promise to treat people with equality, regardless of their disabilities, including when it comes to employment,” stated Walid Choubana, General Manager, Zaria Court Hotel, Tapestry Collection by Hilton.
Zaria Court Hotel’s CSR initiative this Women’s Month reflects a growing conviction within the hospitality industry that businesses are not islands. As part of the Hilton family and one of Kigali’s premier establishments, Zaria Court Hotel recognises that the communities in which it operates are not just contexts, they are responsibilities. This visit to HSMD was not a one-time campaign; as it is the beginning of a conscious, ongoing relationship with the women and organisations shaping a more equitable Rwanda.
Leave a Reply