Equity Bank Rwanda, on Thursday, donated knitting and sewing machines to Humura PE Cooperative through AVEGA Agahozo, as part of the 28th commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

Humura PE Cooperative is comprised of widow survivors of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi who are all members of AVEGA Agahozo.

In addition to the machines, Equity Bank also provided space where the cooperative will work from in the next year.

The Cooperative welcomed the support, noting that it is going to help them in their efforts to achieve economic independence and improve their economic well-being

Therese Mugorewera, the Head of Humura Pe Cooperative, said that with this donation, members will be able to run their businesses more effectively.

This, she said, will be done by offering different products such as bracelets, bags, sweaters, and many others.

"This comes at the right time when Covid-19 has hit our cooperative so badly. We have been learning how to use these machines since 2015, and now God has blessed us with them. We are sure that Humura Pe is going to be able to expand and buy more equipment with this donation,” she said. 

Mugorewera also indicated that this action will not only benefit the members of the cooperative but the whole society around them.

Shema Mugisha, the Head of Commercials at Equity Bank, said that the Bank remains committed to supporting Genocide survivors and vulnerable families.

"Donating these machines is part of our vision which is transforming lives. We believe that this act will transform the lives of these women and help them in rebuilding,” Shema said. "We will continue to support victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi”.

On the same day, the management and staff of Equity Bank gathered at their headquarters in Kigali to remember the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.