Our Sisters' Opportunity
Fostering entrepreneurial potential among young women.
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 a population of around 13 million, nearly half of whom are under the age of 20, Rwanda has significant demographic potential. However, youth unemployment disproportionately affects young women: 54% of unemployed young people are female. A lack of access to vocational training, patriarchal norms, and financial barriers hinder their economic participation.
The result is dependency, social exclusion, and a lack of voice. OSO addresses these challenges with a practical approach that combines training, 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 goal is to build career prospects through hands-on training, business management expertise, and the implementation of their own business ideas.
Each year, 52 women participate in intensive training, and 156 scholarship recipients receive educational materials and continuing education. Through a peer-mentoring system, the participants pass on their knowledge to three other young women each—thus multiplying the impact.
After six months, the graduates begin producing textile goods such as school uniforms, work aprons, and custom-made shirts. The products are sold at the OSO Entrepreneurship Center and marketed through the organization’s own e-commerce platform and social media.
Funding from Lemonaid & ChariTea e.V. covers salaries, equipment, and organizational costs—ensuring sustainable implementation.
Delphine Uwamahoro
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