Start Date: June 1, 2024
The “KUNOZA IBYO DUKORA” initiative, designed to enhance the skills, knowledge, and productivity of two rural women’s cooperatives in Rwanda, is well underway. The project focuses on equipping members of the TUZAMURANE-Gihara and ABIBUMBYE-Kamonyi cooperatives with modern tools, training, and techniques to improve their agricultural and manufacturing outputs, fostering both personal and community development.
Objective: Strengthening Sustainability and Promoting Development
The project aims to strengthen the long-term sustainability of the two cooperatives while promoting the personal, family, and community development of their members. By providing training, access to new technologies, and skill-building, the project is empowering women to create lasting positive change in their communities.
Empowering Through Knowledge and Tools
The project is focused on two key outcomes that improve both the technical knowledge and the availability of resources necessary for transforming products within the cooperatives.
1. Improved Knowledge and Access to New Equipment for Product Transformation:
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Agri-food Processing Equipment for TUZAMURANE-Gihara:
To help add value to the tomatoes harvested from their greenhouses, TUZAMURANE-Gihara has been supplied with new equipment, including extraction machines for producing tomato paste and ketchup and packaging materials.
Manufacturing Tools for ABIBUMBYE-Kamonyi:
ABIBUMBYE-Kamonyi has received new sewing machines and raw materials, including cotton, silk, wool, and natural fibers. These materials are being used to manufacture high-quality menstrual pads and clothing, providing more sustainable alternatives to traditional products and benefiting the local community.
2. Training and Skill Development:
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Training for Agri-food Processing:
As part of the project, 20 members of TUZAMURANE-Gihara took part in a two-day training session where they learned how to operate the new equipment for agri-food processing. The training was led by a food science and technology consultant, and participants gained the skills needed to optimize the use of the new equipment and materials for food production. -
Workshop for Product Manufacturing at ABIBUMBYE-Kamonyi:
In a five-day training session, 20 members of ABIBUMBYE-Kamonyi received specialized training on sewing techniques from an expert in handicraft manufacturing. The training equipped participants with the knowledge to effectively use the new sewing machines and create durable, marketable products such as clothing and sanitary towels.
A New Era for Rural Women’s Cooperatives
As the “KUNOZA IBYO DUKORA” project progresses, both the TUZAMURANE-Gihara and ABIBUMBYE-Kamonyi cooperatives are making strides in boosting their production and expanding trade opportunities. The members are gaining valuable knowledge and skills, positioning them for future success. These improvements will contribute to the economic empowerment of rural women and have a lasting impact on their families and communities.
The project continues to be a key part of Rwanda’s ongoing efforts to uplift rural women and provide them with the tools they need to thrive in agriculture and manufacturing, laying the foundation for long-term growth and opportunity.
