Briefly, tell us who you are and where you are from.
My name is Ssanyu Ritah. I am a Muganda by tribe from Kampala, Uganda.
How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
I am a happy, hard working, mother of 2 children.
When is your birthday? What is your favorite color? Favorite activity?
26th August 1988. My favorite colour is purple and my favorite activity is cooking.
If you could do or be anything in the world, what would it be?
I would like to advocate to see that acid survivors get justice and to see that acid attacks are put to an end.
What is a dream that you have? What is something that you are passionate about?
My dream is to see my children excel. I want to educate them. I want to buy land and build apartments, and make a craft center where people can come and buy and also learn how to make the craft.
Tell us your RISE story. What are you RISE-ing from? What are you RISE-ing to?
I am rising from being economically dependent and from my children lacking necessities and the basics of life. My life was hard in a way that I would make my crafts and have no market for them but now, I have a market for the crafts through RISE.
I have RISEn to being independent financially, my children are happy and I can provide them with necessities of life.
What is one thing you want people reading this to know?
I want people to know that no matter what happens in life, no matter what you go through, however hard it may be, there is always a way out. And also, to know that there are survivors who need help, who have lost hope, and only need a helping hand for them to be happy and lead a normal life just like other people.
What would you say to those who think they can’t make a difference in the world?
Let no one think they cannot make a difference. Everyone has that special ability within them, only that we sometimes don’t what to show those special abilities. We can all make a difference in this world.
What does RISE mean to you?
RISE means a lot to me. It is my marketing place for my crafts. It’s my link to the world, helping me to tell the world that acid attacks do happen and that acid survivors need help.
Final thoughts?
We need to spread this gospel that acid attacks do happen and that they need to be put to an end. It cannot be done by one person but if we all RISE up and see it as a deadly monster than it shall come to an end
I would like to advocate to see that acid survivors get justice and to see that acid attacks are put to an end.