One day, I traveled to Rulindo District, Bushoki Sector, to my site in Karambi for a meeting with our new youth group. I arrived prepared to discuss saving with purpose and how young people can set meaningful financial goals. However, the meeting quickly turned into an unexpected but entertaining discussion.
When I asked the group how they used to save before joining the program, one member confidently explained that they saved money mainly to buy meat for Christmas and to go out and enjoy themselves. The rest of the group agreed, confirming that most of their savings were usually spent on food and celebrations. Another parent added that their goal for this year was to eat at least twenty kilograms of meat during the festive season. At that moment, it became clear that their understanding of saving was very different from what we were hoping to promote.
After the laughter and jokes, I began guiding them toward the concept of saving with intention. I explained how even small contributions can accumulate into useful capital when individuals have clear and realistic goals. This shift in perspective changed the atmosphere in the room. One young person immediately said they wanted their savings back so they could start a tomato-selling business. Another expressed interest in selling sugarcane, while a third decided they wanted to start making and selling mandazi.
It was encouraging to see how quickly the group embraced the idea of entrepreneurship. Their motivation grew as they recognized that saving with purpose could help them build something sustainable. Since then, the youth group has committed to developing small businesses, building confidence in entrepreneurship, and supporting each other as a community.
That day was memorable, not only because of the humorous stories but also because it marked a real shift in mindset. What began as a simple meeting turned into a valuable lesson in financial planning, business thinking, and personal development. Bushoki proved once again to be a place where laughter, learning, and transformation can coexist in one session.
