Winny Ropani Isaac was just 24 years old, a young mother raising two daughters, when she returned to South Sudan from Uganda in 2021. Life had not been easy. She had faced domestic violence, financial struggles, and limited opportunities. Her husband kept her confined to their home. So even though she had studied up to grade seven and earned a certificate in salon and hairdressing while in Uganda, her skills remained unused.
But Winny’s story was not meant to end in silence.
In 2022, a neighbor introduced her to Women for Women International’s Stronger Women, Stronger Nations Program. For the first time in a long while, Winny saw a ray of hope—a chance to learn, to grow, and to take control of her future. She chose to join the program and selected hairdressing as her vocational path—a skill she already had, but one she hoped to sharpen and transform into a source of income.
Her decision was not welcomed at home. Her husband resisted and tried many times to stop her from attending the training sessions. But her program trainers saw her potential and stood by her. They visited her husband and spoke with him, helping him understand the value of Winny’s growth and the importance of allowing her to complete the program.
Their efforts worked. Slowly but surely, he began to support her. Winny was able to continue her training—and eventually graduate—with pride and purpose. With 50,000 South Sudanese Pounds (SSP) which translates to around 8.3 USD, she had saved through her Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA), she opened her very own salon in December 2023.
Shortly after graduating, Winny was recruited as a beautycare/hairdressing trainer by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (German Corporation for International Cooperation) and worked from September 2024 to March 2025. During those six months, she earned 100 USD a month and trained fifteen women in beauty care. It was her first formal job, and it confirmed something she had always believed—she had the power to uplift others too.
Today, Winny is a thriving entrepreneur. She earns around 500,000 SSP (83 USD approx.) in profit every month and serves about ten clients a day. She rents her shop for 15,000 SSP (2.50 USD approx.) and has gained something far more valuable than money—financial independence.
But Winny’s journey doesn’t stop here. She dreams of expanding her salon to serve more people. She hopes to grow her savings, pursue a diploma in hairdressing, and open a training center in Yei town in South Sudan. Her goal is clear: to train and empower other women, just like herself.
Her success has transformed her family's life. There is now peace and respect in her marriage, and her daughters are growing up with a mother who is strong, determined, and full of hope.
Winny participated in a film titled “Shattering Echoes of Silence.” playing the role of a salon owner—drawing directly from her real-life experience. Sponsored by Women for Women International South Sudan, the film aimed to break the silence that surrounds so many women’s stories. It told a tale of strength, resilience, and transformation—and Winny helped bring that story to life.
Winny’s journey is one of courage and change—an inspiration to many women striving for independence and success. Her story reminds us that with education, support, and determination, even the most difficult beginnings can lead to powerful new chapters.