Women coop receives cash boost

NYAGATARE—Duterimbere A.S.B.L, a non-profit making organisation that provides credit facilities and business training to women Tuesday donated 11 cows and Rwf850,000 to Kotabaru , a women cooperative in Rukomo sector. According to Duterimbere officials, the money donated along with the cows would be used to buy livestock drugs and secure artificial insemination services. Beneficiaries say out of 70 cows earlier donated to the cooperative by Duterimbere, they have passed over 30 cows to other needy women in the area. “We lost some of the cows due to diseases but at the same time, we passed over calves to other needy women in our cooperative,” said Donath Mukamuhizi, the head of Kotabaru. “These cows have improved our livelihoods. We get milk for our children and money for their school fees.” Mukamuhizi added that Duterimbere has helped them in many other developmental activities, including pineapple and mushroom growing. Martine Umubyeyi, the vice head of Duterimbere said that the testimonies from beneficiaries are a sign that their goals are being successfully achieved. “The progress made by these women signifies that we have met our targets of promoting Rwandan women,” she said. Umubyeyi asked beneficiaries to sensitise other women to join cooperatives as a way of development. Separately, Umubyeyi said that in collaboration with Oxfam Rwanda, Duterimbere has been helping rural women in the district to carry out developmental activities. Kotabaru cooperative has 118 women members and was initiated by widows in Rukomo Sector. Ends