50 women acquire vocational skills in hairdressing and soap-making to launch small businesses in Nyarugenge District, Rwanda. It is expected that at least 45 participants will successfully achieve economic independence through this initiative.

Local Solution
Grown To Help (GTH) is tackling poverty in Rwanda by supporting 50 women to gain vocational skills, leading to sustainable economic independence. By doing so, they are addressing financial needs and  empower women to overcome vulnerabilities and break the cycle of poverty.

The women in Nyarugenge often deal with low educational attainment and limited employment opportunities, leaving them vulnerable to economic insecurity and gender-based violence. The target group consists of women, many of whom have faced challenges such as family responsibilities and lack of access to resources. During community consultations, these women expressed their desire for training opportunities that lead to self-sufficiency and empowerment.

In a six-month hairdressing program, 10 (aged 17 to 24) participants will learn essential skills, such as styling, cutting, and salon management, attending training sessions three days a week. Concurrently, a four-month soap-making course will be provided for an additional 40 (aged 18 to 45) participants. Both groups will also complete a two-month entrepreneurship course that includes business management, marketing, and financial literacy. GTH will facilitate the formation of saving groups to encourage financial stability and support the establishment of their businesses after the training ends. After the businesses have gained traction and the participants have saved the minimum share capital, the two groups will form a cooperative and will earn 90% and re-invest 10% of the profits.

GTH brings extensive experience in empowering women through economic programs, having positively impacted 125 individuals through its initiatives in the past three years, resulting in a 60% improvement in their livelihoods.

Lives Improved
50 women gain vocational skills and resources needed to start their own businesses, creating immediate income opportunities. As a result, they will achieve financial independence, leading to improved living standards, better access to education for their children, and enhanced healthcare for 200 family members.

Community Impact

A year from now, we envision a thriving community where women confidently lead income-generating activities, fostering a sense of pride and purpose while encouraging others to pursue similar paths. The satisfaction of success will be reflected in the number of graduates securing long-term employment and stable income sources.

Budget

The budget for the EmpowerHer Hands Project is RWF 16,710,526 (or €10,528). The donation will be used to:

• Skills training, including equipment and materials for hairdressing and soap-making
• Venue rental and utilities for training sessions
• Support for graduates to start their businesses, including tools and subsidized rent
• Personnel costs for trainers and project management
• Monitoring and evaluation costs for data collection.
• 5% to iMPACT direct for facilitating direct donations to local solutions (which helps to cover costs of the website, promotion and proposal writing, costs of financial services and the support to NGOs).

Own Contribution: GTH will contribute by efficiently managing the project, and facilitating the formation of savings groups and cooperatives. We aim to ensure transparency in fund management and foster a self-sustaining model where trained graduates can mentor future cohorts, promoting long-term economic empowerment for women in the community.

Testimonial

“At 17, I became a single mother and had to drop out of school. I felt lost and hopeless. Then, I found a lifeline through the GTH Young Women Economic Empowerment Program. After getting vocational training in sewing, I gained a stable income and can now provide for my family in ways I never imagined. I am proud to mentor other young women and help them find their own paths to empowerment.” Clementine, Tailoring Project Participant.