In a bid to facilitate cooperatives to engage in income generation activities, the Evangelical Restoration Church has made a cash donation of Rwf 23 million to 12 cooperatives in Kicukiro District of Kigali city.

The beneficiaries are from four sectors that include Gatenga, Gikondo, Kigarama and Kanombe.

The cooperatives decided to invest the funding in taxi-motorcycle transport business that saw each member get a new bike.

Speaking to The New Times, Marc Gahonzire, the chairman of Simeon Cooperative in Kigarama, said the donation boost revenues.

"We have already come to an agreement with the association of taxi-motorcycles (COTAMONYA), for them to use our motorcycles and pay us on a monthly basis,” Gahonzire said.

The chairman explained that all the 12 cooperatives have come up with various projects and revenues from the business would be reinvested.

"We have a brick-making project and our target is to use this money in making it a success,” he said.

The support is part of a three year Global Fund project the church is implementing in the district to support people infected and affected by HIV/Aids.

The district Vice Mayor in charge of Social Affairs, Florence Uwayisaba, encouraged cooperative members to work hard and transform their lives.

Uwayisaba said that, "Today you have been supported, tomorrow it should be you to support others and change many people`s lives.”

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