Anastase's News - PHARP Updates

Mahoko Sewing Project

Sewing machines are very much

looked for as many youth members

across the country are looking for

vocational training to create jobs for

themselves. It took some months

before we gave the machines as we

couldn't get the brand we needed.

We finally got it and we purchased

10 nice sewing machines that we

presented to the Mahoko community

together with other materials

including 2 large tables, 20 stools,

30 pieces of fabrics, 2 blankets,

1 iron box, 4 pairs of scissors, tins of

fluid, thread, needles etc.

20 youth members make the first class. They are very thankful to the Trust and to the people who donated the money to help them.

Gerard was very excited and has also sent his thanks to the Trust. Gerard is the one who made the request as he was much concerned about the young ones in his community.

Mr. Tuyishime Protais in charge of cooperatives in the Kanama sector, and Mr. Nsabimana Alin Joseph, the leader of Mahoko cell said that the government of Rwanda has pledged to create 20,000 new jobs by the end of 2019 and that their District (Rubavu) has been asked to create 756 new jobs. They said that training in sewing and providing materials is one of the things making Rubavu district's performance contract for 2019 when it comes to jobs creation. They commended the sewing project and thanked PHARP and The Goboka Rwanda Trust as relevant partners.

Nyamyumba Sheep Project

In Nyamyumba we presented 35

heads of sheep to the community.

Recipients include survivors and the

perpetrators of the genocide, very

poor people, and those living with

disabilities.

Nzaramba Theophile has one leg not

functioning normally and uses a

crutch to move. He is old and is very

poor. He said that he is going to own an animal for the first time in his life.

He hopes that his life is going to

improve. He is very thankful.

Ndagijimana Jean Marie Vianey is blind. He said "Ndashimira abantu b'lmana bankunze bakampa intama" - "I thank God's people who loved me and gave me a sheep". I had explained that sheep are donated by people from England. He touched it and said he was feeling his sheep is lovely. He said there is somebody who will be helping him care for it.

Kayitesi Adrienne is a genocide survivor suffering deep memories of being sexually abused and recovering slowly. She lives with her old and sickly mother, the only survivors of their family. They fled their home place in the Southern Province and sought refuge in this part of Western Province (Northwest Rwanda). She hopes that the sheep will help her and her mother. She is very thankful.

Most of the recipients said it is their first time in their life to own an animal. They hope their life conditions will be different now. The leader of Burushya cell and the Agronomist of Nyamyumba Sector who were present commended the sheep project and thanked PHARP and Goboka for addressing the socio and economic needs of their community. All the beneficiaries promised that they will care for the sheep so that they multiply and benefit other members of their community.