Based on the entrepreneurship week of 12-18th November, Ashoka staff and graduants from different universities included , visited Ikirezi Natural Products of Dr Nicolas Hitimana a model of entrepreuners and fellow of Ashoka in Rwanda.
Dr. Hitimana’s activities are in Rusororo Sector, Gasabo District in Kigali City.
He has initiated cash crops namely geranium, patchouri and lemongrass that are processed in a local distillery.
The Oil extracted from them is exported to South Africa.
Such activities generate income much more than coffee and tea trees.
“At least, 300 farmers have worked with my company ‘Ikirezi’ since 2006 and it has brought a positive change in their lives especially widows and orphans of 1994 genocide.” Dr Nicolas narrates.
“We still face challenges like the ignorance of some people and insufficient land to work on, where we need to move ahead from ha 30 today to ha 250 in the coming years” he adds.
Whilst during the tour, participants visited both the plantations of crops and the distillery where oil is made from patchouri, geranium and lemongrass production.
They appreciated the step ahead made by Nicolas and say that this serves as a good example for them to become entrepreneurs because they have been missing where to start from.
Jean Claude Tuyishime studying Real Estate Management and Valuation at KIST says his observations where oil is distilled, has brought an insight in him to start a factory of non alcoholic drinks after his studies.
Carolien Vis, Rwanda Representative Ashoka said the event was aimed at helping youth to learn themselves how entrepreneurship activities look like and get insights in bringing changes to communities.
Ashoka is a citizen sector organization founded in 1981.It networks with more than 3,000 leading social entrepreneurs that operate in 70 countries.
Ashoka encourages everyone to be a changemaker.
Ikirezi Natural Products is a community-interest business that has been operating in Rusororo Sector since 2006.
Its managing Director Nicolas Hitimana has significantly advocated to build houses for orphans and widows who live in “Village of Hope” Rusororo.
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