This was the heartbreaking reality for Beatrice and Theogene before a Tearfund project, funded by the Scottish Government, transformed their entire way of life.
Seven years ago, Beatrice, along with almost 30,000 other women in Rwanda’s Southern Province, was given the opportunity to become involved in the Tearfund SEAD (Sustainable Agricultural and Economic Development) project, which received funding from the Scottish Government.
Women in Beatrice’s community, and across the region, were brought together in self-help groups where they could save and lend money to each other. They learnt new agricultural practices to help them adapt to climate change and boost their harvests, and were trained to develop new business ventures, such as local shops.
Transformed lives
Thanks to the dedication of Tearfund’s local partner African Evangelistic Enterprise (AEE), and the hard work of all the participants, this project has turned around many lives across this region of Rwanda.
For Beatrice and Theogene, their situation has changed immeasurably, beyond just achieving economic stability. They now provide for their family's needs, including food, clothes, a home, school fees and medical bills. But as Theogene explains, there’s also been a significant change in their relationships as a family.
‘Whenever a family needs many things, there are so many conflicts. My wife asks me for 100 Rwandan Francs: I don’t have it so we fight. But now we sit together and decide what we do. There is no fighting.’
Their children, once absent from school due to lack of food and supplies, are now performing well, and Theogene takes pride in rewarding their good grades. Reflecting on their journey, Beatrice and Theogene are filled with hope and ambition.
‘From the experience we have gained and the journey we have been on, it gives us hope. We can aim higher and achieve even more. We still have plenty of opportunities – our training helped us to see that. Whenever you have a goal, you work effectively and efficiently. I am happy with what we have achieved together. We are blessed. I believe God has been on our side.’
Additional funding
This project was so successful in its initial four-and-a-half-year phase that it led to an additional two years of funding from the Scottish Government.
These extra funds have helped participants like Beatrice learn to take their businesses to the next level: they’ve developed a strong business case to access finance from local institutions and transform their produce into higher-value goods.
In this way, Beatrice and her husband have expanded their local shop, diversifying their income.
Beatrice says: ‘I started this shop with one sack of charcoal. I now have lots of different things to sell.’
Around her, many other women like Beatrice have also reaped the benefits of the training and have seen their lives transformed.
Enormous impact on communities
Emmanuel Murangira, who leads Tearfund’s work in Rwanda, describes the difference this project has made for communities.
‘This inspiring project has had an enormous impact here. We have seen a significant reduction in extreme poverty. We’ve seen families who were previously struggling to grow crops and feed their families, but who now have harvests which have increased by an average of almost 70 per cent. What’s more, we’re seeing a significantly higher number of families consuming two or more nutritious meals a day, greatly improving their health and wellbeing.
‘Thousands of people have started new businesses or expanded existing ones. They have become more financially stable and resilient. Nearly all of the self-help groups have established “savings for disaster” funds, providing a financial buffer against unforeseen challenges. The project has also facilitated access to government health insurance and pension schemes, further securing the wellbeing of those involved.
‘Life is very different for those who have had these opportunities. We are very thankful to the Scottish Government for making all this possible.’
