{Despite having lived in sweeping poverty for long, Nyamagabe district residents are about to hatch out of vulnerability which was exacerbated by inadequate skills and fear of taking risks and exploring new business grounds. }
Today, their story is unfolding with new sense of direction, as witnessed by Nyamagabe residents dominated by women who have been acquainted with project management skills in trainings offered by USAID under Ejo Heza program of Global Communities. It aims at transforming them into small entrepreneurs.
Immaculée Mukabahizi, a resident of Kibirizi sector, attests how learning the art of sewing has positively impacted her household. She says at first she despised the business but after getting trainings under the auspices of Ejo Heza project, she immersed herself into the trade and today she is a better person.
Ephroni Bizumuremyi, a resident of Cyanika sector has started a milk selling business after honing her skills, thanks to Ejo Heza. Having started with an initial investment of Rwf 1600, she now has a threshold of six million.
“I was born in an extremely poor family. My family could only afford a meal after offering labour services. I started business with 1600 in 1995.Through the small cash, I would buy milk in a small jerry can which I used to sell in Nyamagabe center. Because I was honest, my suppliers would allow me to pay later after selling milk,” said Bizumuremyi.
“When I received trainings from Ejo Heza project, I became confident to work with financial institutions and run a purposeful business. I did what I was taught and generated enough income to the extent that I managed to buy land, build a house, employ six people in my business, among others. I am now the only one distributing milk to all supermarkets of Nyamagabe town. I earn Rwf 200,000 every month in net profit,” she says.
The common perception among all trained individuals is that poverty is caused by inadequate knowledge or working purposelessly.
Laurien Jyambere, working with Global Communities in Ejo Heza Project says that they have a target of training vulnerable citizens, equip them with business skills, with an ultimate goal of transforming them into medium entrepreneurs. He finds that it is possible to alleviate poverty based on achievements attained by beneficiaries of the trainings.
Ejo Heza has trained 2140 people to run various projects from eight districts in which it operates. Trainings last seven months for each round.
A total of 230 Nyamagabe residents recently received certificates of trainings , where they were equipped with skills of becoming small entrepreneurs.
During the event of handing over certificates, the executive secretary of Nyamagabe district, Jean Pierre Nshimiyimana lauded Ejo Heza Project and participants who committed to combat poverty saying such acts can help the district to succeed in performance contracts and attain sustainable progress.
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