Leshobo Village, located under the Greater Taung Municipality, faces critical challenges related to access to information, digital resources, and educational infrastructure. Community members, particularly unemployed youth and school learners must travel long distances to access internet cafés or public libraries, significantly hindering their opportunities for learning, job-seeking, and digital literacy.
Due to a lack of electricity, high maintenance costs, and a non-functioning mill, women in Sakao Serere must travel 8.5 kilometers to access the nearest operational millet mill. This not only increases their workload but also limits their ability to process millet efficiently, impacting household food security and income generation. To address these challenges, the community has proposed modernizing the local mill by installing an electric power supply and equipping the existing machinery with an electric motor. This upgrade will significantly reduce labor and processing time, enhance productivity, and create new economic opportunities, particularly for women who rely heavily on millet processing for their livelihoods.
The Sustainable Vegetables Farming with Piggery Integration Project in Remera Village aims to empower 72 youth by increasing their monthly income from 10,000 Rwf to 65,000 Rwf through integrated vegetable and pig farming. Led by the Solidarity Youth Group, the initiative addresses unemployment, improves nutrition, and strengthens financial inclusion by combining market-oriented agriculture with financial literacy. With a project budget of 5,600,000 Rwf (3,400,000 Rwf requested), the community’s contributions and strong local leadership ensure sustainability and long-term growth.
The Tree Nursery Bed Project in Dutare Village aims to equip 70 youth with nursery management skills and boost their monthly income from 20,000 Rwf to 70,000 Rwf by producing and selling 40,000 high-quality tree seedlings. In addition to creating sustainable income opportunities, the project promotes environmental conservation and nutrition security by providing fruit and forest seedlings for local planting. With a financial ask of 3,050,000 Rwf, the initiative focuses on economic empowerment, community-led sustainability, and strengthening partnerships for long-term growth.
The Ejo Heza Rusasa Commercial Rabbit Farming Project in Huye District aims to create sustainable income for 62 youth by boosting their monthly earnings from 20,000 Rwf to 65,000 Rwf through rabbit farming and related sales. The project also addresses malnutrition by providing high-quality protein to over 45 households and builds youth skills through training, savings initiatives, and strong market partnerships. With a financial ask of 5,600,000 Rwf, the project seeks to drive youth employment, improve nutrition, and strengthen community-led economic development.
The Commercial Piggery Farming Project in Kivomo Village aims to create sustainable income for 60 youth by providing piglets, training, and support to boost their monthly income from 15,000 Rwf to 50,000 Rwf within a year. By leveraging local markets, financial literacy training, and partnerships with professional farmers, the project also strengthens leadership skills and reduces rural-to-urban migration. With a financial ask of 5,930,000 Rwf, the initiative expects to empower youth, stimulate small business growth, and enhance the overall community economy.
The Volunteers, in partnership with Duterimbere Rubyiruko Murehe Community Youth Group, pitched a Passion Fruit Farming Project designed to tackle youth unemployment and rural-urban migration in Murehe Village, leveraging the community’s agricultural strengths. The project aims to create jobs and boost the monthly income of 62 youth by integrating passion fruit farming with Irish potato cultivation, supported by a four-month training program. The initiative is expected to benefit over 900 community members indirectly, reduce school dropouts, and strengthen local economic and social well-being.
Pitched by Mohammed Ed-dahbi, Abderrahim Ahaou, and their counterpart Youssef Ait Talat, this project was selected after discussing various ideas (e.g., prayer area, waste station, cemetery). Ultimately, road development was prioritized due to its critical role in ensuring safe transportation, especially during post-earthquake reconstruction. The poor road conditions were hindering construction, and the community committed to contributing labor, transport, and materials. The project will positively impact the health, education, and economic growth of the 422 residents of the village.
Exchange Volunteer Makhtar Seck and his counterpart Id Mansour Dahbi pitched this project. The community prioritized installing solar panels to power a modern water pump and a distribution system after discussing and evaluating the idea of restructuring the women’s cooperative. Ensuring access to potable water was considered essential for daily life and long-term development.
Pitched by Kaoutar Jamai Bouazzaoui and her counterpart Mohamed Ait Boumouguaine, this project responds to the loss of the village’s only olive press in the earthquake. It was chosen as the most urgent initiative after community discussions. The direct beneficiaries are 15 farmers and 10 youth who will gain job opportunities. Indirectly, all 77 residents and many others in the neighboring villages will benefit from reduced transportation costs and improved income. A newly forming women’s food cooperative (20 women) will also benefit from a discounted oil price, boosting their income and market participation.
