This blog post was written by Megan Henderson, our Communications & Events Manager.
Danielle at her home, with her goat, in Rwanda.
Five Talents partnered with Mothers’ Union Rwanda in 2022. It is one of our newest partnership programmes and many members had only just completed literacy training when the partnership began. Members were keen to earn, save and invest together. One of those members is Danielle. During COVID Danielle’s husband suddenly lost his job working as a casual labourer for a daily wage.
Danielle said, “We had to figure out what to do to support our family. I had never been part of a Savings Group, but I was invited to join. I came to the Group crying as my husband was traumatised from losing his job. I joined the Group and started a business to support my family.”
Danielle started a sorghum (a type of grain) business. She would buy sorghum from farmers and then make sorghum beer (similar to rootbeer). The sorghum cost around RWF 700, but Danielle would sell her sorghum beer for RWF 800, making a small profit.
As Danielle saved a portion of her small profits she was able to borrow a loan from her Group for RWF 100,000 to buy a much larger quantity of sorghum. Buying and selling in larger quantities increased her profits. Now, she has a capital of RWF 500,000 and has been able to start diversifying.
“From the Group, I was also able to take out a loan to buy a goat. I also have a cow, since the government gave cows to many households who were poor.”
With livestock Danielle is better able to support her family and has new business opportunities. She can use the goat or cow’s milk to feed her family, and sell any offspring they produce.
Danielle is making plans to expand her sorghum business even more which will enable her to improve her home - she’s already been able to start making the bricks for the improvements!
“Through the Group, I learned to work hard, to socialise and to pray. I used to be so shy and couldn’t speak in front of others, but now I can even lead a Bible study.”
Danielle’s ambition and confidence are enabling her to build an even brighter future for her family, thanks to her Savings Group. You can support our partners to create even more Savings Groups, like Danielle’s, by clicking here.