Grassroots Rwanda aims to establish 1000 Self Help Groups for 20,000 women living in extreme poverty (surviving on less than AUD$120 per year) in rural Rwanda.

 

To accomplish this outcome, Foxglove works in partnership with AEE Rwanda, an indigenous faith-based NGO registered in Rwanda in 1987. AEE Rwanda introduced the Self Help Group approach to the country in 2003. Since then, more than 200,000 women have joined an SHG and discovered life to transform social, economic and human rights benefits. These include establishing supportive friendships and thriving local businesses, improved family health, private health insurance, access to child and adult education, as well as decreased incidence of domestic violence. This development approach may start with women but impacts entire communities.An SHG in Rwanda brings 20 women living in poverty together for life. It offers weekly savings, personal development and small business training, social connection and support. A minimum of 10 SHGs is started in each village to create a micro-economy. It takes a one-time investment of $30 per woman, $600 per SHG or $6000 per village (10 SHGs) to provide community consultation engaging village support, personal development and vocational training, entrepreneurship mentoring and small internal group loans. With this foundation, the women establish micro businesses in agriculture, animal husbandry, handicrafts and petit trade. From tiny beginnings, women from the SHG take care of their own family and community needs.

 

It is a remarkable story. She makes her future.