A project empowering rural women through climate change resilience strategies, VSLA savings, and agro-ecological practices in Nyamagabe District.
This project focused on women’s economic empowerment, climate change adaptation, and gender equality through sustainable agricultural practices, VSLA strengthening, and gender-based training.
Kitabi Sector, Nyamagabe District, Southern Province
250 vulnerable households (?1,250 individuals; 80% women; includes PWDs & marginalized groups)
March 1, 2022 - December 31, 2025
$22,000.00
Strengthen women’s economic empowerment through VSLA and IGAs
Promote climate-resilient agricultural practices
Improve gender equality and community awareness
Achievements:
10 VSLA groups established (253 members: 174 women, 79 men)
4.3M RWF saved and 5.4M RWF loaned
5,000 agroforestry/fruit trees distributed
10 rainwater tanks installed
250 households received improved cooking stoves
Gender and GBV awareness improved; women lead all VSLAs
- 10 VSLA (Village Savings and Loan Association) groups were successfully established and are fully operational, including 253 active members (174 women and 79 men).
- Targeted inclusion was achieved: the groups successfully integrated 55 members with disabilities and 50 members from historically marginalized groups.
- Strong female leadership was demonstrated, with 100% of the chairperson positions in the VSLA groups held by women.
- The VSLAs generated 4,311,055 Frw in cumulative internal savings and disbursed 5,398,555 Frw in credit to all 253 members within ten months.
- 100% of VSLA members contracted credit at least once, contributing to a substantial increase in the shared amount at the end of the cycle.
- 100% of the 250 beneficiary households possess an improved cooking stove of the "Canarumwe" or "Rondereza" type by March 2025, representing an 89.6% increase in households using improved cooking stoves.
- A total of 5,000 agroforestry and fruit tree seedlings (including 500 avocado, 2,000 Tamariro seedlings and 2,500 Grevillea) were distributed to the 250 households;
- 10 rainwater harvesting cisterns with a capacity of 10,000 liters each were distributed to 10 beneficiary households located near the FFLS (Farmers Field Learning Schools).
- 250 beneficiary households were supported in household waste separation by receiving 500 plastic bags (2 per household) for separating biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste.