More than 20 young people living with disabilities across Rubavu, Burera, Musanze, and Rutsiro local government areas of Rwanda are receiving training to help them run cooperative businesses and move out of poverty. This training is part of a five-day program under a project called Turengere Abafite Ubumuga (Support People with Disabilities), held in Musanze from April 28 to May 2, 2025.
The program is funded by the European Union and coordinated by Dr. Hakizimana Nicodème, Executive Director of the Organization for People with Albinism in Rwanda (OIPPA). According to Dr. Hakizimana, the project targets three key areas: advocacy for equal access to financial, health, and education services; helping people with disabilities fight poverty; and pushing for their inclusion in national development programs.
Dr. Hakizimana explained that many disabled youths face extreme poverty due to lack of access to loans and financial support. “When they go to banks, they’re asked for collateral they don’t have. Some can’t even afford to join savings groups. This training helps them start cooperatives and gives them the skills to manage them well,” he said.
Each of the four districts will receive financial support of RWF 5 million per group—making a total of RWF 20 million in this phase of the project. More districts will benefit in later stages.
Participants like Solange Uwingabiye say the training is already changing their mindset. “We’re learning how to set up cooperatives and how to manage them. With this knowledge and support, we’re moving from just being in groups to owning proper cooperatives,” she said.
Another participant, Emmanuel Niyongira, added, “We have been farming, but with limited resources. With this grant, we will shift from small-scale farming to planned, goal-oriented agriculture.”
Project lead, Alice Kabonesa Justine, said the aim is to empower 160 young people living with disabilities. The project is being run in partnership with AIMPO (Association for Marginalised People), Hand in Hand Development (HIHD), and ISDO (Inclusion and Social Development Organisation).
The youths expressed hope that with proper training and financial support, they can turn their lives around and become self-reliant.
