Projects

Give Them a Chance-Mumporeze Projects

 

In Rwanda, the first 12 years of basic education are free in some public schools.  Although other school expenses are generally small, many poor families simply cannot afford them.  Also, there is the cost of basic school materials. This lack of minimal funds for education results in school dropouts and has been increasing at a high rate in the Kinigi Cell community.

This project supports vulnerable children in the Kinigi primary school by paying for basic school materials while training them in self-reliance. To date, this project has provided 75 beneficiaries with entrepreneurship training. They have been provided with chickens and have been taught how to raise them. They use the money from selling the eggs or chicks to fund their schooling. Over 60% of beneficiaries of this project are from teen mothers who are struggling financially and trying to find themselves in society. Although we have been helping the children at school, there is no improvement in their lives at home.

 

Give Them a Chance-Bring Back Their Dignity

 

In Rwanda, there has been a steady increase in unwanted teenage pregnancies in recent years. Despite all of the efforts, measures, and actions put in place to fight unwanted teen pregnancy in the last three years, the number of unwanted teenage pregnancies has risen from 17,000 to more than 20,000.

There are many projects aimed at helping to reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies in Rwanda, but few targeting the teenage mothers themselves. According to recent studies, 88% of these Rwandan teen mothers depend on their family financially, and the majority of these families don’t want to give them support, due to the family’s poverty, as well as the cultural belief that taking care of an unwed teen mother puts a curse on the family.

This same study shows that teen mothers become pregnant primarily as a result of sexual violence from people they know, including family members and family friends. Thus, these teen mothers and their children face domestic violence day and night. This is in addition to them often dropping out of school, living in poverty, lacking health insurance, and being rejected by their own family.

Beneficiaries, after making their clothes

We are tackling the main problem of helping unwed teen mothers to make a sustainable living. We are supporting teen mothers in entrepreneurship skills, tailoring skills, human rights, and sexual reproductive health education. They will also be supported emotionally and psychologically.

Through these skills and support, we are achieving our goal of improving the well-being of the teen mother and her children with a long-term view. Also, we hope that soon this program will help these young mothers go back to school and work for their dream.

 

 

Give Them a Chance-COVID-19 Rapid Response

 

Early March 2020 – Other countries around the world have reacted to the spread of COVID-19 by shutting down all activities and requiring people to wear masks when leaving their homes. Different measures have been taken to contain this virus, but these measures create hardships for those with no stable income. Thus, the people in the countryside are suffering the most, as their lives are based on making a daily income. Because of the lockdown measures, they can’t make their daily living. This situation is even worse for the elderly and children from poor families who are already malnourished.

 

 

As a response to this problem which the community is facing, and through funding from Wells Mountain Initiative and private individuals, GTC is doing the following:

  • Beneficiaries of the Bring Back Their Dignity project are using their newly acquired skills to sew facial masks for their community and health care professionals. Thus far 4,000 facial masks have been made.
  • Providing accurate daily COVID-19 health messages to the community.
  • Providing food and hygiene materials to the most vulnerable families, which include the elderly and the poorest families with children who are suffering from malnutrition.

6 Comments

  1. Aristarco Aguas Atlahua

    Jean aime

    Hi Jean, it is a pleasure to hear from you and what you do in each project for your community. Kathryn was not wrong in choosing you as a son and supporting you in your studies.

    Receive a cordial greeting from Córdoba, Veracruz, Mexico.

    Aristarco Aguas

  2. Jean Aimè, I agree with Kathryn and congratulate you on such good deeds.

    Sara Villicaña, from Guadalajara, Mexico.

  3. It goes without saying that you’re doing great things here, helping to make the world a better place. Looking at the pictures, however, I can’t help but notice the beautiful fabrics and patterns that these masks and clothing are made from. If I wasn’t so far away (on the west coast of America) I would ask to order some!

    • Jean Aime Musabyemungu

      Thank you for this encouraging and inspiring message.  Once you will come to Africa(especially to Rwanda) let us know, we can make one for you.

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