J778 Grassroots Rwanda

The Situation

Nyamagabe is the poorest district in Rwanda. It is located about 2 ½ hours from Kigali. It is divided into 17 sectors and also houses Kigeme, one of the largest refugee camps in Rwanda. There are more than 340,000 people in the district, most living on less than US$1 per day by working as farm labourers and subsistence farmers. Of the 17 sectors, 5 are more prosperous given their land quality and being located close to the Nyungwe Forest, a popular tourist location due to its chimpanzee and primate populations. The other 12 sectors have severe challenges with the poor land quality and access to clean water. It is in these 12 sectors that AEE Rwanda is committed to establishing 500 SHGs(Self Help Groups) for 10,000 women, over the next 3 years. Given the development statistic that every woman is estimated to directly influence 5 other persons, it is likely that another 50,000 indirect beneficiaries will be impacted by the project

The Objectives

1. Facilitate 500 Women’s Self Help Groups in Nyamagabe, Rwanda.
2. Support community development initiatives in Africa as needs arise.