Women Empowerment for Sustainable Development

Dear Donors,

We are happy to share with the quarterly report for this project. The Women Empowerment for Sustainable Development project is still implemented by Aspire Rwanda. The project aims to train women from poor households through agricultural extension education that promotes Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) in animal and crop husbandry with a focus on economic empowerment. The women and youth have been also be trained on making organic manure from pig shelter waste that can be used as well as sold for income. The participation of the women and youth in the piggery farming provided opportunities to expand their piggery unit to small livestock farms therefore creating employment opportunities to other youth in their communities.

The project empowered the youth to improve their well-being through farming and generating income from pig farming, the sale of pigs and piglets, agroforestry through planting of fruit trees (avocado) whose avocado fruits can be sold. The beneficiaries’ engagement in the avocado value chain will provide future opportunities to participate in the local and export markets of avocado and earn income. The project encouraged the beneficiaries to save money earned from the sale of piglets in the microfinance institution as well as venture in to other income generation activities in order to diversify their income streams

Main result(s) – output level

• The training on pig farming has increased the knowledge and awareness of the beneficiaries about pig artificial insemination and its productivity, pig feeding techniques based on home leftovers, pig breeds adapted in the region.
• They acquired skills heat detection (Estrus cycle) and basic skills about disease management and prevention.
• They are able to implement nursing care of piglets and weaners
• They formed groups and were connected with other existing pig farmers’ platform
• They are able to set a layout and construct a pig shelter
• Youth are optimistically doing pig farming.
• Social networking of youth.
• Youth negative beliefs on pig farming have been changed.
• Increment of pig population in the district.
•  avocado seedlings planted
• Participants gained knowledge and skills on avocado agronomy and market (Local & Export)
• Participants agreed to be involved in climate change and environment adaptation

We thank you so much for your support on this project and we would like to support in making a difference in the lives of more women.  We encourage you to donate monthly here. Even a few dollars a month will go a long way. Please also share this with your contacts and invite them to consider supporting this ongoing project. Thank you .

Best wishes,