GiftT

GIFT (Ganza-Inema Fair Trade), formerly RWAFAT (Rwanda Forum for Alternative Trade), is an organization that we have recently started supporting financially.

Since 2020, The Cornerstone Foundation has been working with GIFT to strengthen the position of women in Rwanda. We have now been able to support a total of 17 groups of 30 women each with three projects. These women are selected by the local government based on their socio-economic situation. They often live in poverty, without access to credit from the bank or any prospect of improvement.

Within these groups, the women receive training in the Village Savings & Loan Association (VSLA) method.
A savings and loan group is a self-governing group of usually 20–30 people (in this case women) who save a small amount of money every week. This model is particularly effective in areas where there is no access to formal banks or microfinance. It offers women a safe way to put money aside, access credit, and build financial resilience.

This allows them to purchase agricultural materials, livestock or seeds, for example. This creates space for economic independence and mutual solidarity. When a woman has saved 2 euros, she can borrow 3 euros from the group to realize her plans.

Outcome

The expected outcome of this project is to improve the access of the poorest people, especially women, to community-based microfinance.

This will lead to an increased ability of project participants to meet basic needs, such as food security, education and access to healthcare.

Activities

GIFT undertakes, among others, the following activities to achieve this outcome:

• Organizing project participants into savings and loan groups;
• Awareness campaigns for participating women to participate in savings programs;
• Train participants in micro-credit programs and other relevant topics;
• Bringing participating cooperatives into contact with microfinance institutions;
• Support in income-generating activities;
• Facilitating business mentors and entrepreneurship training.

Our Role 

As the Cornerstone Foundation, we have recently become involved in this project. We find it special how the women, living in extreme poverty, are supported to provide for their own livelihood. This gives enormous strength and self-esteem, something that we wish for everyone.

In particular, we help GIFT to find sufficient funds to continue to carry out their special work.