TUVUGE TWIYUBAKA ASSOCIATION ‘S EFFORTS TO IMPROVE YOUNG GIRLS WELFARE

Dear partners, we are very pleased to share with you the efforts made by our association to make sure some young girls are assisted to see their dreams becoming reality.
« TUZAMURANE » which literally means “support one another economically” is a young girl-made cooperative. « TUZAMURANE » comprises 20 young girls who live on small trading in Kabacuzi market, Nyamagabe district town/South Rwanda.
A big number of these young girls are from parents affected by HIV/AIDS or those facing extreme poverty while others are orphans. Our organization has brought them together in order help overcoming a number of challenges. This meets their dream which is to run small business so as to find solutions for some the basic needs for both themselves and their families.
To ensure they are selected in a good way and we are reaching the most vulnerable and needy adolescent girls, we closely worked with grassroots leaders.
Before they knew Tuvuge Twiyubaka, each member worked on her own and the income they could make was very little as their investment was very small (50$ at least). Additionally, most of them had no money to rent the stand inside the market whereby they had to display their goods on the ground or wait for clients outside the market.
The lack of enough skills in small business management was also a big challenge for these young girls to make their business generate more income. Therefore, we started by training them about managing small income generating projects. Considering their age and life circumstances, we also trained them on reproductive health and HIV/AIDS for we found it to be an effective preventive strategy to reduce risks of early pregnancies, HIV/AIDS infections and other ITSs.

Chantal, aged 19 and orphan of both parents, is selling food stuffs in Kabacuzi market, she says her business is going well now after she received a loan of 60000Rfw which increased her small investment
After training them, we assisted them by giving them small loans that they pay without interest. Each girl received 60000Rfw (100USD) to support her small existing investment. The whole loan is paid back within the period of three months and then after the beneficiary is allowed to start a new phase. These small loans have significantly improved the lives of these young girls and their families. Now, these girls have been able to pay the stand inside the market, and to pay taxes. They have opened bank accounts and they save some money. Contrary to before they are now self confident and can show their smile!
Tuzamurane members are now determined to making their business more profitable. They believe that by investing a little money it is possible to get their welfare improved!
ENDS