Rwanda Trust Group member, Rachel   For more than an hour we listened to the stories from about 15 members of a Trust Group here in Rwanda, some of them meeting together like this for seven years. Afterwards in the bus we compared notes—inspired by them all, but unanimously impressed with Rachael, a single woman on her 5th loan cycle.   Completing high school, Rachael graduated into 50% unemployment. She heeded the government’s encouragement to new graduates: “Create your own work.” In these rural communities there are virtually no jobs. Another popular phrase we heard this week is, “Don’t look for work—create it.” To do this Rachael came to Opportunity for a loan of $250 to start a restaurant. After five consecutive loans, each for four months, her current loan is $580. Today, five people work for her.   With the profits of her restaurant business Rachael has built a small house for her parents. One of our group asked her what the future holds. With no hesitation or uncertainty, she responded that she plans to go to college—while maintaining her restaurant. Our time with the Trust Group ended with Rachel praying for us.   Impressed by her optimism and spirit, on the bus afterwards we kidded that this budding entrepreneur will eventually buy Opportunity’s bank. —Mark Lutz

Rwanda Trust Group member, Rachel

 

For more than an hour we listened to the stories from about 15 members of a Trust Group here in Rwanda, some of them meeting together like this for seven years. Afterwards in the bus we compared notes—inspired by them all, but unanimously impressed with Rachael, a single woman on her 5th loan cycle.

 

Completing high school, Rachael graduated into 50% unemployment. She heeded the government’s encouragement to new graduates: “Create your own work.” In these rural communities there are virtually no jobs. Another popular phrase we heard this week is, “Don’t look for work—create it.” To do this Rachael came to Opportunity for a loan of $250 to start a restaurant. After five consecutive loans, each for four months, her current loan is $580. Today, five people work for her.

 

With the profits of her restaurant business Rachael has built a small house for her parents. One of our group asked her what the future holds. With no hesitation or uncertainty, she responded that she plans to go to college—while maintaining her restaurant. Our time with the Trust Group ended with Rachel praying for us.

 

Impressed by her optimism and spirit, on the bus afterwards we kidded that this budding entrepreneur will eventually buy Opportunity’s bank.

—Mark Lutz