Dorosera Mukagahima made our long two-hour bus ride worth the trek to her remote village. She’s the elected treasurer in her Trust Group of about 30, mostly women. In her business she buys and sells goats—about 3 at a time. She proudly told us of her sturdy mud brick home with a metal roof, situated on an acre of land that she owns.   Life hasn’t always been this good. She explained that a couple years ago when she joined the Trust Group her “brain was closed.” She was confused, with low self-esteem and without direction or hope. She lived in a grass thatched hut where she cared for her sick husband and their four children—all attending primary school. Her fortune started to change with her first Opportunity loan of only $33 which enabled her to start selling juice that she makes from bananas. Within four months she paid off her loan and took out a larger one to expand her business. By the third loan cycle, with her profits, she was making the mud bricks she eventually used to build her new house. Inspired by the success of the others in her group she says she’s no longer afraid to take larger loans and make investments. Our group members asked her several questions, one of them inquiring about the influence of her Trust Group on the progress of her business. She was quick to respond. Before her loan, as a woman she could not leave her home or spend time with others unless accompanied by her husband. Though those traditional practices are discouraged by the government, many rural women still live within those boundaries today. Now her husband knows she’s out running her business, or meeting with the other Trust Group members. Seeing the added income to the family, he welcomes her participation. Hearing the stories from the other group members encourages her to “think beyond where she is and what she can accomplish.” The interpersonal skills she has learned in the group, she has taken home and used in her family. With her loan from Opportunity she says, “God now sits between my husband and me,” bringing them together. The next day as we took our long bus ride, several in our group commented on the strength, camaraderie and empowerment these Trust Group members gained form working and meeting together. Perhaps here in Rwanda the group dynamic is especially powerful, as members rebuild their lives in the wake of the genocide. As neighbors butchered each other with machetes, no doubt, some family members of those in this Trust Group were victims of atrocities inflicted by other families represented in the group. Coming together every week brings healing and support like little else can. It is clear to all of us that microfinance is playing a significant role in the restoration of Rwanda. Mark Lutz, Sr. VP, Global Philanthropy, Opportunity International, Oak Brook, IL

Dorosera Mukagahima made our long two-hour bus ride worth the trek to her remote village. She’s the elected treasurer in her Trust Group of about 30, mostly women. In her business she buys and sells goats—about 3 at a time. She proudly told us of her sturdy mud brick home with a metal roof, situated on an acre of land that she owns.

 

Life hasn’t always been this good. She explained that a couple years ago when she joined the Trust Group her “brain was closed.” She was confused, with low self-esteem and without direction or hope. She lived in a grass thatched hut where she cared for her sick husband and their four children—all attending primary school.

Her fortune started to change with her first Opportunity loan of only $33 which enabled her to start selling juice that she makes from bananas. Within four months she paid off her loan and took out a larger one to expand her business. By the third loan cycle, with her profits, she was making the mud bricks she eventually used to build her new house. Inspired by the success of the others in her group she says she’s no longer afraid to take larger loans and make investments.

Our group members asked her several questions, one of them inquiring about the influence of her Trust Group on the progress of her business. She was quick to respond. Before her loan, as a woman she could not leave her home or spend time with others unless accompanied by her husband. Though those traditional practices are discouraged by the government, many rural women still live within those boundaries today.

Now her husband knows she’s out running her business, or meeting with the other Trust Group members. Seeing the added income to the family, he welcomes her participation. Hearing the stories from the other group members encourages her to “think beyond where she is and what she can accomplish.” The interpersonal skills she has learned in the group, she has taken home and used in her family. With her loan from Opportunity she says, “God now sits between my husband and me,” bringing them together.

The next day as we took our long bus ride, several in our group commented on the strength, camaraderie and empowerment these Trust Group members gained form working and meeting together. Perhaps here in Rwanda the group dynamic is especially powerful, as members rebuild their lives in the wake of the genocide. As neighbors butchered each other with machetes, no doubt, some family members of those in this Trust Group were victims of atrocities inflicted by other families represented in the group. Coming together every week brings healing and support like little else can. It is clear to all of us that microfinance is playing a significant role in the restoration of Rwanda.

Mark Lutz, Sr. VP, Global Philanthropy, Opportunity International, Oak Brook, IL