I am always so impressed with how a $150 grant can not only give a family a chance to learn a skill or trade, but also improve their quality of life. In June, I received One-Year Reports from the ten Rwandan small businesses started with SIA Small Businesses Fund grants in 2008.
These reports detail the progress of each business group under the guidance of Francois Hamuli, all of which are continuing to thrive and reinvest to expand their operations. Hamuli regularly visits the groups throughout the year, checking in with them and encouraging them. At the end of one year, Hamuli helps the group members, many of whom do not know how to write, complete their final report to the SIA Office. Once I receive the reports in French, Beatrice Easter, a native French speaker, translates the reports to English.
That is all a lot of backstory to share with you these very exciting reports from SIA Small Businesses in Rwanda! Here are some highlights:
Turwenya Ubukene: Cassava Business
“After two years of activity the group has continued to provide the cassava [staple food] for my community. The members are able to educate, feed and clothe their children.”
Tujimbere: Flour Retail Business
In two years of activity the group is coming to share blessings with certain orphans. This month they visited two families that take care of the orphans.
Ibiza: Retail Fuel Business
Two members of this group came to buy everyone a little part of a field for a communal garden and two goats. What a testimony to the village! Transportation of the product to market is aided by motorized canoes.
Witonde: Sewing Clothes
The activities of this group are running. They bought two sewing machines. They nourish their families. Now members of my community can easily find clothes. It is the joy that reigns.
A B’mana: Fresh Fish Sales
Members of this group are happy to see that their children are healthy because they can eat fresh fish, which was reserved only for the rich before.
