that does not have electricity or water availability for the residents. The majority of the population grows potatoes and cabbage that are sold in the Musanze market; for most this is their only source of income. The majority of households live on less than $200.00usd per year and are raising families that consist of more than 5 children.
27 women, who are dreaming of a brighter future for their children, decided to take fate into their own hands.
The women thought long and hard about what they could do. There were no jobs available to them, they had only so much land to cultivate, they did not have the necessary start-up cost to open a business of any kind, and they all have young children that they could not leave at home alone.
The women approached Poverty reduction, Education, and Family empowerment in Rwanda (PREFER), a Rwandese NGO based in Musanze District. Together the women and a representative from PREFER came up with the idea of making soap, and then proceeded to find the name of a qualified teacher, a list of necessary equipment, a location, and a budget. PREFER donated $1000.00usd for start-up costs and the women began their journey out of poverty.
These women, a mixture of widowed and married, formed their association, hired a teacher and during the next four months faithfully attended classes to learn how to make quality soap. Not surprisingly, all the women completed and passed their course. They were determined to make a success of their new endeavor and all contributed 100% of their effort. The graduation ceremony was a joyous celebration. The majority of these women, born and raised in the village, have had minimal schooling, if any. This was the first certificate they had ever received and the first time they had ever been recognized for their achievements.
The women have rented a small shop from a local businesswoman, purchased the necessary equipment, and begun to make soap.
They regularly sell to friends, family, and neighbors in the community, but just recently they obtained decorator molds and have made soap available to visitors in Rwanda. You can find PREFER Women’s Soap Association soap, to purchase, at their shop in Gushangiro, Karibu Gift Shop in Ruhengeri, and hotel gift shops in Musanze district.
PREFER is a Rwandan registered NGO operating a number of programs including distributing a goat into a vulnerable family, enabling the family to sell the offspring for income for schooling expenses; home repairs for widows and teen head of households; and PREFER pre-school, located in Gushangiro, offering free education to 152 children ranging in ages from 18 months to 5 years old. If you would like to contact PREFER you may do so by contacting Cathy Emmerson BP 37 Ruhengeri, Rwanda, or thru email povertyreductionrwanda@yahoo.com
