How religious tourism is benefiting youth and women in Ruhango

Every first week of the month, believers from the Catholic faith in Ruhango District make a pilgrimage to a place commonly known as Kwa Yezu Nyirimpuwhe for prayers and worship. The practice created a business opportunity that enterprising residents seized and started making religious items, like rosaries, Bible covers and Jesus’ portraits to sell to worshipers. Fourteen-year-old Jean Claude Twizerimana is one of the dozen or so people that vend these items at Kwa Yezu Nyirimpuwhe every month. In an interview with The New Times Twizerimana said he was inspired to start the business to raise money for scholastic materials and stop depending on his parents for money to buy some of his basic needs. The youngster sells religious items like crucifixes, bracelets, bible covers, statues, and rosaries. Twizerimana said he earns about Rwf60,000 per month from selling the items. The Senior Four student added that he is planning to open a savings account with a SACCO in his locality to save money for future business ventures. For Jean Havugimana, a first year student at University of Rwanda - Huye Campus, selling religious items has seen him become financially independent, saying he is able to afford basic needs like shoes, soap, and scholastic materials. Havugimana works only during the holidays. “Since I started selling religious products, I have been able to support myself, which helped reduce “financial pressure” on my parents,” Havugimana says. The young entrepreneur earns Rwf50,000 whenever he works. He said some of the money is put aside as he prepares for life after university. Vestine Mukeshimana, from Nyaruguru District, has sold items at Kwa Yezu Nyirimpuwhe for 15 years. “I managed to save some money with a local SACCO and I bought an hectare of land and three goats. She sometimes trades her wares at Kibeho. The veteran vendor makes Rwf30,000 every first week of month from selling religious items. A vendor waits for buyers. / Appolonia Uwanziga Other traders Annonciata Mukamana sells soft drinks, earning Rwf100,000 during the period. She added that she has managed to pay school fees, health insurance for her four children. Mukamana has also saved about Rwf2 million with the area SACCO from the proceeds of the business. She advises women to embrace entrepreneurship to improve their livelihoods. “Having a small income-generating project will save you from being dependent on your partner for all your financial needs,” Mukamana added. District plans Francois Mbabazi, the Ruhango District mayor, said plans were in advanced stages to improve the place as a religious tourism site.

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How religious tourism is benefiting youth and women in Ruhango