Grassroots Rwanda Stage 2 will establish another 1000 Self Help Groups for 20,000 women living in extreme poverty (surviving on less than US$100/AUD$140 per year) in Nyamagabe, a remote rural district in Southern Rwanda.
Foxglove works in partnership with AEE Rwanda, an indigenous faith-based NGO registered in Rwanda in 1987. AEE Rwanda introduced the Self-Help Group (SHG) approach to the country in 2003. Since then, more than 300,000 of the poorest women have joined SHGs and discovered the social, economic and political strength forged from coming together and finding a place in the community. The specific benefits include supportive friendships and thriving local businesses, improved family health and private health insurance, access to child and adult education, and a decreasing incidence of domestic violence.
This development approach may begin with women but influences entire communities. An SHG brings together for life 20 women previously living in poverty. It provides weekly meetings, regular personal savings, personal development, small-business training, group-based microloans, and social connections. At least 10 SHGs are established in each village to build a micro-economy, meaning that 200 women in a village trade and work together to advance their standard of living and standing in the community.
It is a remarkable story. It is one where ‘She makes her future’.
To accomplish this outcome, Foxglove works in partnership with AEE Rwanda, an indigenous faith-based NGO registered in Rwanda in 1987.