The Abizera Cooperative in the Bumbogo sector (Gasabo district) is assisting disadvantaged women in generating their own income by training them in industrious skills.

The are learing tailoring, crafts, and basket weaving, after years of constant poverty.

The cooperative is targeting widows and orphaned girls who did not have the opportunity to attend school.

The cooperative earns members close to Frw300,000 per month, giving them the ability to share and save for their future.

Elizabeth Uzanyinzoga, the leader of the cooperative, said plans are underway to expand the project and reach more people.

"There are now 12 members, but the number keeps increasing due to the realization of how profitable the cooperative is,” said Uzanyinzoga.

The program has achieved successful results during its two year service.

"Before joining the cooperative, every one of the members could not pay school fees for their children; getting food to eat was a hurdle, but things have changed,” she said.

"We had spent more than five years without getting anything to save, but now we have started to smile.”

Starting with Frw 4m, they purchased equipment for women to apply their skills, including tables, chairs, suitcases, plywood and tailoring machines.

Father Innocent Dushimiyimana, the leader of the Bumbogo Catholic Church, has been helping to buy equipment and export products to Italy and France, as well as assisting with the work.

He says the products created by the women are not exported directly, however church attendees from other countries often purchase these products from the church.

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