Empowering young women for entrepreneurship.
Our Sisters Opportunity (OSO) was founded in the Gakenke district in 2019 and emerged from a successful women's cooperative for tailoring. The NGO promotes social and economic independence of young women through education, craft training and entrepreneurship.
OSO offers programs in ethical fashion, design, permaculture, agriculture, youth health and business management. The aim is to secure income, create access to financial resources and improve the quality of life of entire households. This not only creates jobs - but also more social participation.
With around 13 million inhabitants, almost half of whom are under 20 years old, Rwanda has high demographic potential. However, youth unemployment particularly affects young women: 54% of unemployed young people are female. Lack of access to vocational training, patriarchal norms and financial barriers make their economic participation more difficult.
The consequences are dependence, social exclusion and a lack of participation. OSO addresses these challenges with a practical approach that combines education, income and social participation.
In the Gakenke district of Rwanda, the organization Our Sisters Opportunity (OSO) is implementing a three-year training project for a total of 624 girls and young women. The aim is to develop professional prospects through practical training, business management know-how and the implementation of their own business ideas.
Each year, 52 women take part in intensive training courses, 156 scholarship holders receive educational materials and further training. Through a multiplier system, the participants pass on their knowledge to three other young women - thus multiplying the impact.
After six months, the graduates start producing textile goods such as school uniforms, work aprons and tailor-made shirts. The products are sold in the OSO Entrepreneurship Center and marketed via its own e-commerce platform and social media.
The funding from Lemonaid & ChariTea Foundation enables salaries, equipment and organization - thus ensuring sustainable implementation.
Delphine Uwamahoro
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