Established in 2014 in the Gisagara district of Rwanda’s Southern Province, Mugombwa refugee camp has become a haven for over 11,500 refugees who fled the conflict in eastern DRC, leaving behind their homes and belongings. These refugees, like Feza Nsanzifura and her family, have been striving to make ends meet, relying on a modest monthly allowance from various partners.
To support refugees and address these challenges, CARE Rwanda through its Gender Equality and Women Empowerment Project (GEWEP III) in collaboration with AEE Rwanda is working to empower vulnerable women and girls, like Feza, by providing them with skills and opportunities to participate actively in economic development. For Feza, this meant training to work as a Telecom agent, where she could help people access digital financial services from MTN and Airtel, while earning a commission for each transaction.
To make this initiative possible, Feza and her peers received two rounds of startup capital amounting to 170,000 FRW and 130,000 FRW. AEE Rwanda saw the potential in refugees working as mobile financial services agents, and thus, Feza became one of 19 refugees who were encouraged to sell telecommunication services as an income-generating activity. With the unwavering support of CARE Rwanda and AEE through GEWEP III, Feza’s quality of life significantly improved. She not only built a capital of 400,000 FRW but also began earning around 25,000 FRW per month.
In addition to the financial support provided, CARE Rwanda also encouraged refugees like Feza to form groups following the CARE Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) model. This initiative motivated Feza and her peers to save up to 200 FRW a week, instilling the habit of saving in their daily lives. Through the VSLA, she gained knowledge of saving and started witnessing its benefits. She says that she has accumulated savings of 8,000 FRW since she started participating in VSLA activities in August 2023. Thanks to the savings, she is now able to support her family by providing for their essential needs, including clothing and other necessities.
The VSLA model has been an instrumental part of the success story, enabling refugees to improve their financial standing. The groups started their journey towards financial security while saving consistently every week. This approach not only instilled the practice of saving but also empowered refugees to take control of their financial future.
Furthermore, CARE Rwanda has ambitious plans to continue supporting young refugees in their pursuit of economic independence. CARE Rwanda intends to connect them with Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) to secure small loans and increase their capital. By doing so, refugees like Feza will have the opportunity to expand their businesses and reach new heights of financial stability.
GEWEP III, through its vocational training programs, has also equipped many other refugees with the skills needed to start their careers. As these individuals graduate from their training, CARE Rwanda will further assist them by providing the necessary tools and resources to kickstart their professional journeys.
