FEATURED: Babyl, Bill Gates Foundation celebrate brains behind Nyamirambo Women's Center

It is a true saying that when women join efforts, they create something extraordinary. This is reflected in the impact that the Nyamirambo Women's Center created to empower women in local communities. ALSO READ: Meet the Nyamirambo women who have tailored their lives to prosperity In 2007, a non-profit organization was launched by 18 single mothers who came together with the intention of supporting their fellows to learn different income-generating skills so that they could cater for their children’s school fees and healthcare. After acquiring a working space, the ladies started offering dissimilar activities to the local women, such as free reading and writing classes, handicrafts, hairdressing, and tailoring. ALSO READ: Local NGO on driving prosperity of women As the association continued to expand, they ventured into a responsible Community-Based Tourism (CBT) initiative in the form of a community walk tour, as well as starting a community library with books in Kinyarwanda, English, and French. The community-based tour operates in the urban environment in Kigali, particularly in Nyamirambo, to give visitors a perception of everyday life and challenges, social events, and businesses. The library was set up as a friendly and educative space for children during the weekends or holidays. Mary Nyangoma, a member of Nyamirambo Business Centre, said that at least 5,000 women underwent training and some went on to create their own businesses using the acquired skills to generate income. At the core, she said, the 50-member cooperative focuses on creating awareness against gender-based violence, gender inequality and discrimination. She said that despite the fact that some illiterate women in the urban cities managed to do businesses and are now well off financially, the gap in their lives can still be noticed. For instance, she said, it is noticed when they are required to fill a simple form and they are unable to write themselves. According to Nyangoma, this is a reason why their services are relevant and much more for those who still need somewhere to start building their lives. Tracey McNeill, Director for Primary Healthcare Global Development at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, with a delegation who were in the country attending a health forum, and members of Babyl Rwanda visited the centre on the occasion to celebrate the International Women’s Day, on March 8. McNeill said that is a good example of women becoming economic activists and the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation is very supportive of such community initiatives. There is so much more we need to do as women together to change and narrow the gender gap. Today is a reminder to make that commitment, she added. Shivon Byamukama, Managing Director of Babyl Rwanda, said the centre is a reflection of women empowerment by how they supported each other to create economic activities and use effectively their resources to educate their children as a generation to come. She said that as Babyl–a digital platform that provides health services to individuals remotely –they intervene by easing women's work by availing an accessible and affordable healthcare service. She encouraged women to take on more challenges in promoting their welfare and securing their children’s future. In 2020, Babyl signed a 10-year partnership with the Government of Rwanda to develop a new healthcare delivery model of ‘Digital-First Integrated Care’, where all Rwandans would be able to gain access to qualified doctors and nurses through their mobile phone. Babyl has a helpline service (8111) that is open from Monday to Saturday, 7am to 7pm, that handles any inquiries and assists customers in issues ranging from subscription, payment and information on partner pharmacies and laboratories.

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FEATURED: Babyl, Bill Gates Foundation celebrate brains behind Nyamirambo Women's Center