The interest-free start-up loans were disbursed by Umbrella for Vulnerable, a local non-governmental organisation which was founded in 2010.
The project aims at improving the life standards of the vulnerable by giving them a healthy diet, good education, medical insurance and financing micro projects.
At the launching of the project, 66 women who had small businesses in Rwamagana and Kamonyi districts were given a Rwf100 000 loan that will boost the businesses and impact their lives. Speaking to IGIHE, the representative of Umbrella for Vulnerable, Ayoub Nsanzintwali, said they decided to start the project because their activities usually target the development of every Rwandan.
“We shall visit be visiting them every two weeks to see how their businesses are running. We have chosen to start with these 66, we’ll guide and train them on how to keep in track with their finances and avoid overspending. We fervently wish that every Rwandan develop and become self-reliant,” he said. The organisation has 20 members who have committed to the fight against poverty. The project launched this month targets to raise at least Rwf16 million in a period of one year with the help of international organisation “Muslimehelfen” from Germany.
The organisation has also supported cooperatives of women in Nyagatare District with milling machines. It also supported Abakundamuco Cooperative in Rwamagana District and Twisungane Cooperative in the Southern Province with farming materials and goats. Umbrella for Vulnerable had also helped Burundian refugees in Mahama Camp in Kirehe District and Congolese refugees in Gihembe Camp in Gicumbi by giving them sanitary and clothing products.
While launching the project in Rwamagana District, the Coordinator of the National Women Council, Christine Musanabera, urged the women to use productively the loan they received to improve their lives and contribute to the country’s development as well.
Beneficiaries assured the NGO leaders of good use of the loans to improve their welfare and contribute to their communities’ development.
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