Raising Rwanda: Women Farmers' Training Center

As you may recall, the women of Ingambo Ikingira Ubukene Co-op in the Bugesera District of Rwanda and Africa Development Promise had to halt the building process because new building codes no longer permitted the use of the mud bricks. In the meantime, a greenhouse had been constructed, and they had started planting tomatoes. 

Seeing the enormous economic potential of the greenhouse, the cooperative decided to preserve the precious land upon which they were initially going to build the training center.  This land is fertile and within close proximity to a water source and is perfect for a second greenhouse – this time for bell peppers. 

The co-op opted to purchase an adjacent, smaller plot of land for the training center.  This purchase was made without the assistance of Africa Development Promise, which is further proof of the motivation these amazing women have to create a better future for themselves and their families. Monthly deposits are made by each member to help pay off the loan for this new plot of land, and it is recorded by the co-op’s bookkeeper. 

Once the land was purchased they planned to dig up the foundation and reuse it on the new plot.  To date the land has been purchased, and the foundation has indeed been removed and rebuilt on the new plot.  They have negotiated to purchase fired clay bricks and construction will begin soon. 

As for the greenhouse that was constructed earlier this year, the first yields of tomato were picked this week.  The cabbages that were planted in the open fields outside the greenhouse were also picked this week.  The produce will be sold to hotels and restaurants in the nearby town of Nyamata where the women have signed an agreement with these buyers.

It's no wonder the name of the co-op means "Sheild to protect from poverty."

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