Seed Capital Project
Cyungo & Kivumu 2024
In early 2024, Anastase (PHARP)
approached us to consider funding a
project which we had not tried before.
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He talked about the stigma of being a
single mother in countries like Rwanda,
yet many young women are struggling
to feed themselves and their babies if
they have been outcast by families.
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His idea was to identify groups of
single mothers in areas where PHARP
already work, to give them a sum of money each, together with ideas of how the money may be used to help them. The groups were to meet fortnightly to share their stories and experiences of what might work (and what might not) and to set up a savings scheme with PHARP for their own benefit.
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Below are the stories from some of those that this scheme has helped. Each woman was given the equivalent of £30. We are showing only the first names of the women to protect their identity, but as you will read, for many this project has been life-changing.
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On the strength of this, The Goboka Rwanda Trust has agreed to replicate this scheme elsewhere in the country through both of our working partners, and further funding will be identified in 2025 to further this work.
Testimonies from young women who benefit from the scheme
Christine:~
"My life has changed I am happy. I
planted vegetables and got Rwanda
francs 74000 from the harvest in one
season. I bought a sheep and it gave
2 kids. Now I have the mother sheep
which is about to give birth for the
second time and the 2 kids which are
grown up and healthy. I bought 3
chickens which gave 3 eggs every
day. My child eats eggs and very
healthy. I keep on planting vegetables and selling and getting more money. My life has totally changed. I am very grateful to God and to PHARP."
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Denise:~
"I started a business selling sorghum. I started with 100kgs. It grew up to 200kgs and to 300kgs. Now I have reached 400kg. 400kg x 700rfw /kg = rwf 280000. This is my capital. I have opened an account in SACCO (saving and credit cooperative) where I save rwf 4000 every week.
In addition I have 8 laying chickens. I and my child eat eggs and I sell some and get more money. My life and my child's life is good and very hopeful. I am very grateful to PHARP and to the mother (Heather) who helped us. My God bless you."
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Eugeine:~​
"I got very sick and felt hopeless but God helped me and I recovered. Part of the money I had received helped me to access medical treatment, otherwise I would have died.
When I got back to life I used the remaining money and started buy and sell salt (Gikukuri) God blessed me with this and I have been making some profit helping me to care for my child and myself. I am able to save rwf 1000 every week with my mutual support saving group. My life has changed. I am grateful."
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Marie Joseline:~​
"A sewing machine I received has changed my life. I sew for money and make it. I care for my child and for myself. I save rwf 5000 weekly. I have an account in our local bank SACCO (Saving and Credit Cooperative).
I have a pig which has a value of rwf 50000. I am happy with my child and I am grateful."
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Pelagie:~
​"I am very grateful to PHARP and to all the friends who loved us even before seeing us. Their love has changed my life. I was helped to learn sewing as a single mother and when I finished was given a sewing machine. God has blessed my machine. I have been working hard and earning money to care for my child, myself and my mother.
I was able to buy another machine which I rent to somebody who pays me monthly.
I am able to put rwf 35000 on my saving account every month,"
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Marceline:~​
"I have been helped to learn sewing and was given a sewing machines. My machine gives me money and I buy and sell green bananas and vegetables as I continue sewing for money. I am able to pay school fees for my child and to care for other needs. I also help my old mother. I have opened a saving account and I save rwf 1500 every week this is rwf 6000 a month. My life has changed and I am very grateful."
