Marie Rose's Story

Marie Rose's Story

A Role Model for Vulnerable Women

Marie Rose is from Matyazo Village in Huye District. She has been part of CARE's Vulnerable Women Program since 2008. As a member of a Village Savings and Loans Association (VSLA), she was trained through a CARE project to make cookstoves. 

"In the beginning, I was pessimistic about the outcomes of this initiative. I felt that I would not be able to save money or manage an income-generating activity," said Marie Rose.

However, she says, "I learned quickly and now have made more than 300 cookstoves for my clients. With the profits, I have rebuilt my house, sent my kids to school, and I am able to buy food for the family. Most of all, I am now very much respected in society and have been elected to represent women in the community decision-making body."

Now, Marie Rose is also helping her community by employing her neightbors to work on her land and to help her make stoves. She is not just a role model, but a bearer of hope. One of her neighbors said, " I am proud of my colleague and I am learning from her. I believe I can also come out of poverty if I get a chance to be trained and start doing business as Rose has done." 

  • PublicationDate: 2015
  • Author(s): CARE Rwanda
  • Related Programs: Vulnerable Women Program
  • Related Projects: VLSA
  • District: Huye
  • Media Type: Document
Published in Case studies