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In early 2020, we gathered 47 young, unwed mothers who were living lives marginalized to basic fieldwork in order to support themselves and children at subsistence levels. We guided them to form a “Club” for mutual support and helped them make it through the hungry first year of Covid. In 2021 we provided 6 months of vocational training and in 2022 we created 4 Commercial Associations which are in the process of qualifying as Cooperatives in each of their occupational groups, tailoring, shoemaking, hairdressing and market selling. 

We renovated, outfitted and installed their shops which are now producing and attracting customers.   This has lifted their confidence provided the opportunity for greatly improved and sustainable earning capacity. Further life-skills training in health, marketing and financial management will stabilize their progress out of poverty and marginalization.    

This training and mentoring has created an improved self-awareness among the girls who no longer accept marginalization.  Nor are they seen by many as marginalized. This bride is the one the 47 girls chose as their leader and she was married to the father of her child in a formal wedding in front of them all and the community at conclusion of her training. 

This project, being implemented in rural Rwanda, will support the creation of 4 commercial Cooperatives/Associations for 47 young, unwed mothers. The project builds of the successful effor that organized the group and supported them in 7 months vocational training programs. The cooperatives builds significantly improved and sustainable employment opportunity. Further life skills trainings in health, numeracy and financial management will stabilize their progress out of proverty and marginalization.

The project Manager has renovated, outfitted and installed the shops for tailors and shoemakers and hair dressers. They are producing and attracting customers. The 4th group of market sellers has received their unique orientation and initial stocking of produce and are fully functioning in their repective marketplaces. 

 - John Jordan