Strengthening Socio-Economic Resilience in Rwanda: The "I Am Able" Project.
Rwanda Sustainable Families (RSF) is an NGO that has been promoting the social and economic empowerment of women in rural regions since 2010. Its main focuses are microfinance, cooperative development and education. RSF works with local initiatives such as the Komera artists' cooperative and the Umugisha cooperative, in which 31 HIV-positive women are organized. In addition to craft training, RSF runs a preschool that cares for 150 children every day.
The Western Province of Rwanda has been affected by several crises in recent years. The Nyiragongo volcanic eruption in 2021 destroyed infrastructure and livelihoods. Even before that, COVID-19-related restrictions had brought many small businesses to a standstill. The consequences: falling incomes, a lack of employment opportunities and growing poverty. Women, HIV-positive people and families without access to financing were particularly affected. Cooperatives, savings groups and self-help organizations, once stable pillars of community life, had to reduce or completely cease their activities. Particularly hard hit: women, HIV-positive people and families without access to external sources of funding. Food insecurity and poverty increased noticeably and dependence on external aid increased.
The "I Am Able" project strengthens three particularly affected groups in the Western Province: a pottery cooperative, a group of cross-border entrepreneurs and an agricultural community. All suffered greatly from the economic consequences of the 2021 volcanic eruption and the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants receive market-driven equipment, training in business start-up and are integrated into microcredit programs. With loans of up to 200 US dollars, repayable within one year at 2% interest, they can build small businesses and secure income. 150 people from disadvantaged households benefit directly.
Demuson Rwema Joseph
Mail
Website: https://rsfafrika.org
