“…When I joined the INYENYERI project,
my life began to change…”

Click here to learn more about the Inyenyeri project

When I joined the INYENYERI project, my life began to change. I received training in trauma processing where we could share our experiences, and we started saving in a group of 30 women (microfinance). We received training on how to start our small business.

I also received animals for farming, including pigs and chickens. We learned the best method of vegetable cultivation, and furthermore, we received seeds, crops, and trees, such as bananas, macadamia, and avocado, and grevillia trees to protect against erosion.

Challenges

Along the way, we also encountered challenges. For instance, the intense sun sometimes affected our crops, but we were given watering cans for irrigation. Some chickens were stolen because we didn’t have coops. Now we have chicken coops, and our chickens are safe.

REVENUES

The pig I received from the INYENYERI project has since produced 14 piglets. I have sold 12 of them. Together with the money I earned from selling eggs, I have earned at least 400,000 Rwandan francs. With this income, I was able to buy a cow, which is now about to calve.

I have also been able to buy other small livestock, such as goats and rabbits. We received cuttings to grow sweet potatoes. We have now harvested this, earned income, and are now using our own cuttings to plant potatoes again. Today, my life has improved significantly. I now have a sewing machine, and I have savings in my bank account.