Economic Development
Dedicated to the Boneza Community
We believe
that through community development and support for local entrepreneurs, a sustainable foundation will be built, fostering personal ownership and community pride. We have embraced the entire community in support of the leaders and individuals. Financial savings groups are ongoing and businesses continue to develop and support the local economy.
Scroll down to learn about more programs that support community development.
Econommic Development
Our Method
To Develop
the means of sustainability for small business development in Boneza.
Example: Our current Have a Cow Program.
To Facilitate
sustainable change in the lives of women and Boneza-based entrepreneurs.
To Expand
community savings group/micro-loan programs throughout the community.
Economic Development
Our Method
To Develop
the means of sustainability for small business development in Boneza. Example: Our current Have a Cow Program.
To Facilitate
sustainable change in the lives of women and Boneza-based entrepreneurs.
To Expand
community savings group/micro-loan programs throughout the community.
Savings Groups
Savings Groups
We host financial savings groups throughout Boneza, educating and empowering local entrepreneurs through savings, micro-loans, and community camaraderie. These groups bring technical skills, resources, and training to the community.
Micro-Loans
Through group savings efforts and providing small micro-loans, we support the development of local businesses. Over a thousand small businesses have been created by group members and the repayment rate for micro-loans remains 100%. One great example of a small business startup resulting from savings groups is Ubuntu, a women’s sewing cooperative in Boneza.
Small Businesses
Resulting From Our Savings Groups
“If you empower a woman through helping her start a business, you are transforming her family with a sustainable model.”
Valentine
Small Business Loan Recipient
Ubuntu
Ubuntu is a women’s sewing cooperative group started in 2017 in Boneza, Rwanda. The group founder recevied a micro-loan through one of our savings groups in order to launch the cooperative. This small business has created jobs for many women in Boneza.
Each woman in the group learned the craft of sewing for the first time after joining this initiative. All Ubuntu products are made from local, traditional Rwandan fabric.
The name “Ubuntu” comes from the Kinya-Rwandan word for “Grace”.
Women of Ubuntu modeling some of their products.
The women of Ubuntu gather to learn, grow, and share community. Many women in this group were living on $1 a day, but now they find success in selling their beautiful handmade products.
This local opportunity is changing lives and providing hope to families in the community.
Storefronts &
Produce Stands
Many entrepreneurs within our savings groups have opened storefronts and fresh produce stands. From bakeries to carpentry services, these businesses provide essentials throughout the villages of Boneza.
Fishing
Boneza is located along beautiful Lake Kivu, so selling fish is naturally a popular business.
Agriculture
Boneza’s village residents are primarily agrarian tending their personal gardens for their family food as well as larger plots of tea, coffee, bananas, potatoes and other produce for trade. The region’s rich volcanic soil accounts for outstanding production, including award-winning coffee beans with global recognition.
There are over 3 million coffee trees in this area and almost the entire population is connected to bean growth. Locals contribute by either growing it, picking it, or working at a washing station.
Kivu Hills Coffee
Kivu Hills Coffee is a Specialty Grade Arabica roasted in Michigan by Schuil Coffee Company. The beans are grown in rich volcanic soil in western Rwanda. This region produces award-winning beans with global recognition. For each bag sold, Schuil Coffee Company will donate $3 to Arise Rwanda.
Make an Impact
You can fund a small business in Boneza.
Small Business Campaign
A $200 donation is enough to fund a small business through our micro-loan/finance program. Your contribution will be gifted to an entrepreneur within a local savings group.
Cows have been gifted
Have a Cow
One of our first initiatives, the Have A Cow program gifts cows to members of the Boneza community. When a family is gifted with a cow, income and nutrition are both affected as the family is blessed with nutritious milk, manure for greater crops, and, with the help of the community bull, a calf. When a calf is born it is gifted to a neighbor, and the impact continues to spread.
Over 500 cows have been gifted to local families since 2011.
Our Programs
Explore our other programs to understand how each is making a difference in Boneza, and learn how you can get involved.
