Ethiopia:

The Self Help approach was introduced in the country to multiple partners in December 2002. Since that time, the Managers of 12 organisations that have been implementing the approach have been meeting regularly for a Forum meeting once every 6 months. The meetings have been facilitated by DED, who have been coordinating the process.

In their fourth meeting in December 2004, the members decided to set up a task force. The main tasks given to the Task Force was:

• To explore the possibilities of legally registering the CLA - Cluster Level Association.
• To explore the possibilities of the people's institution accessing finance from existing Micro-finance institutions.
• To explore possibilities of the People's institution linking with Nationalized banks / Private banks for opening bank accounts as well as availing loans.

The task force has done commendable work in the past few months as far as the first two tasks are concerned:

1. Legal Registration:

There are three options available in the country for legal registration. They are:

• To register as a Cooperative
• To register as a Business firm
• To register as a non-profit Civic and Civil association

The framework of the above options does not readily fit to register the CLA or the Federation of the people's institution that the partners are building. In all three cases, the involvement / interference of the government is very high. The task force has been meeting senior officials in the Ministry of Justice and Federal Cooperatives promotion office

The government officials have tried to understand the Self Help concept. They have suggested that the Cooperative framework would be the closest. They had also indicated that they are willing to study as to how other countries like India is handling this issue and indicated the possibility of coming up with a new framework to suit the Self Help approach. The taskforce members are however clear that in the Cooperatives Act, there is too much of government interference and would not suit the Self Help approach. Some of the similarities and differences between the two are:

Similarities:

• Both the cooperatives and the SH approach have edicts and principles that are based on self-help, self-responsibility and equality.
• Eradicating economic and social problems are set objectives of both approaches

Differences:

• Cooperatives are more concerned with economic activities and are generally not concerned with social development aspects.
• A "Proclamation" governs the cooperatives, whereas the People's institution (SHGs / CLAs / Federation) are autonomous.
• The government controls the finance and management of cooperatives and conducts regular inspections. The Self Help approach advocates self rule by the members.
• Cooperatives must maintain a formal management pattern, stipulated by the government. They should have an Executive Committee, a Control Committee and an Audit Committee with government representation in them. The term of office for committee members is 3 years, which can be extended to a second term. The Self Help approach uses a very different governance system and emphasises on rotational leadership.
• Government officers audit the accounts of Cooperatives every year and 70% of the profit must be shared as dividend among the members. The Self help approach advocates internal auditing systems. Profit sharing is entirely left to the decision of the members. There is no external influence on this

Some of the officials are very open and appreciative about the Self Help approach. They do not see much of a problem for the government to come up with an alternate legal framework for the registration of People's Institutions like the Self Help approach.

One of the states in India (Andhra Pradesh) has come up with a new Act called the "Mutually Aided Cooperative Societies Act 1995". A copy of this Act has been handed over to the officials. Some of the comments in the Act are as follows:

[Comment: This Act came into force, on 1st June 1995, even as the Andhra Pradesh Cooperative Societies Act, 1964 was and continues to be in force. Obviously, a distinction was being sought to be made between the cooperatives that were under the purview of the 1964 Act, and those that were to come under the purview of this Act.

This Preamble helps distinguish between the two types of cooperatives. Not all, but many of the cooperatives which were registered under the 1964 Act came into existence, not of their own volition, but as a result of government policy and intervention. They, therefore, had government aid and not mutual aid as their foundation. They were instruments of government policy, not instruments of their members, for their own good. They were channels for distribution of scarce resources, and, therefore, were at times monopolies - not competitive, nor business minded. The Government, and other financial players were part owners, and, therefore, ownership, management, and controls did not rest fully with members.

Under the 1964 Act, too, there were cooperatives which were true agents of their members, and that is the reason why this Act also provides for such cooperatives to choose voluntarily to come under the purview of this style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: lightblue"> Act. Many court judgments have suggested that cooperatives are not creatures of the will of their members, and this Preamble makes clear that associations registered as cooperatives under this Act are indeed creatures of their members, working for their betterment.]

[Comment: Under most state cooperative laws, since cooperatives are seen as instruments of government policy, and as channels for distribution of scarce government resources, the registering authority has the power to refuse to register a cooperative on the grounds that it might not be financially viable, or that its existence was likely to affect the viability of another cooperative already in existence. Under the1995 Act, since cooperatives are seen as agents of their members, the registering authority has not been given any discretion in refusing registration. Time limits have been fixed for registration or refusal to register to be communicated to the applicants.

The Registrar has only to ensure that the provisions of the Act have been adhered to by the applicants for registration, and that the name they have proposed for their cooperative is not already in use by another. The right to freedom of association, guaranteed by the Constitution of India, is respected and provided with the necessary legal framework, where those associating desire such a legal framework for their association.]

[Comment: In keeping with the spirit of liberalisation, the 1995 Act does not give the Government the power to make Rules. A cooperative under this Act is guided by the provisions in the Act (including the cooperative principles], its byelaws, and any understanding or contract that it enters into with various parties including the Government.

The above section, therefore, requires cooperatives to think through a long list of provisions for inclusion in their byelaws. Keeping in mind other provisions in the Act, the byelaws may additionally include the financial year which the cooperative wishes to adopt, and also provide for the internal dispute settlement mechanism.

Model byelaws have not been provided for, as uniformity and standardisation are anathema to owning of responsibility for one's enterprise. In fact, this Act does not provide for the classification of cooperatives, and every group of cooperators is free to design its cooperative with such objectives, such activities, and such financial and management structure as appear appropriate to it. Potential cooperators are expected to think through issues and have byelaws of their choice, so that they can take full responsibility for the success or failure of their cooperative.]

One of the officers appreciated the efforts made in India to give people a voice and decision making powers. He suggested that in this whole effort of bringing a new legal framework in Ethiopia, the government should be involved right from this stage. He was willing to participate in the meetings of the Task Force on a regular basis. This is a very positive step. The officers are also willing to go to the field and meet some groups.

Some of the task force members feel that CLA representatives should also be involved in the task force right from this stage, since we are basically working for their rights. This suggestion was later turned down at the Forum meeting. Other members felt that this is still very premature to get the grass root level people involved. There is also a suggestion that a legal expert be contracted to follow through the process such that legal/technical points that arise during the lobbying process can be sorted out professionally.

2. Linkages with Micro Finance Institutions:

The task force members have collected a booklet with a compilation of MFIs in Ethiopia. The task force has also had discussions with the Executive Director of the Association of Ethiopian Micro Finance Institutions. He has visited India and seen how MFIs work with Self Help groups. He has been very open and has encouraged MFIs in the association to cooperate with the people's Institutions. The heads of three MFIs traveled with the task force members to Nazareth to see some of the SHGs and CLAs. They were very impressed and are quite open to work with the groups.

DED had organised a half day Task Force meeting with 5 select MFIs at CRDA on July 05, 2005. Perhaps due to short notice, only one of them turned up. After giving a overview of the SHG concept, the official from the MFI was asked to give some information about the MFI and the possibility of working with SHGs/CLAs.

The MFI was a part of an NGO before 1998. Due to a government ordinance that NGOs cannot give out credit, the MFI was formed in 2000 as an independent unit. They mainly operate in rural areas. 80% of their 6000 clients are from rural areas and over 80% are women. The loan portfolio is over ETB 3.0 million (~USD 350,000). Legally it is a Share company and falls under the category of a non-banking financial company. The total assets of the organisation are over ETB 6.0 million (~USD 700,000). They are able to fully cover their operational costs and will soon be profitable / sustainable. The vision of the organisation is that every Ethiopian should be able to access finance.

Some of the operating parameters are:

• A group of 20 people should be formed. Experience has taught them that this is a good group size.
• Members start saving. A lot of emphasis is placed on saving. For example, a slogan propagated is, "The poor cannot develop through hand-outs but only by savings." Another principle is "All do not need a loan but all can save".
• The size of the first loan is a maximum of ETB 500 (~USD 58). Each subsequent loan can be ETB 250 more. The average loan size at present is ETB 485.
• The maximum loan size is ETB 3,000 (~USD 448). This will be possible after 18 loan cycles. (increment of ETB 250)
• Loan repayments installments are paid on a weekly or bi-weekly basis (not longer). The understanding is that the poor can plan for a day - maximum for a week.
• The loan repayment period is decided by the group. Minimum is 4 months and maximum is 2 years. The average is 9 months.
• Interest rate is 2% per month or 24% per annum.
• Savings can be deposited with the MFI. An interest of 8% per annum will be paid out for the saving.
• The MFI signs a loan contract with a group (single contract). Money is disbursed to individual members. The amount is based on what the group accepts as the individual's need within the parameters set by the MFI. The basic principle is "Individual loans with Group collateral".
• All members receive the loan at the same time and all pay back at the same time. The repayment terms are decided by the group.
• If one member fails to repay a loan, the other members have to jointly pay on behalf of the defaulter. If not they will forego opportunities for further loans.
• For the MFI, swiftness of operation is important. If one loan is repaid today, the next loan can be disbursed tomorrow.
• The loan application form is very simple and a one-page document.

Some of the selection criteria developed through experience is:

• Do not accept existing groups unless organised for financial purposes. M
• The MFI does play a role in organising a new group.
• An important factor to be checked is to see if the individual has some business experience.
• Will be hesitant to work with Women's development groups organised by the department for women's development.
• Will consider only self-formed groups not promoted groups.

Linkage with Self Help groups:

Working with Self Help groups seem quite attractive for the MFI for the following reasons:

• The groups are homogenous and very systematic in their operations
• Members are from the poorest of the poor sections of the community, which is also the prime focus of this MFI
• Members have learnt to be regular in saving and have developed financial discipline.
• Members have some business experience

The director of the MFI had a very interesting analysis. He used the term Hot money for one's own saving and Cold money for money from external sources, especially grants from donor funds. He said that SHG members are those who have learnt to use hot money well. This will help them in the long run to be accountable with money from whatever source it comes. People who start with cold money do not proceed very far.

As far as working with SHGs are concerned, he said, "I have a business opportunity and I would like to seize it". He would prefer working with the SHGs directly and not through the CLAs. The SHG members according to him are the primary beneficiaries and the collateral will be strongest at that level. Some of the aspects he will look for are:

• The history of the SHG, especially the credit history
• Good record keeping. Records will speak volumes to us.

He said that perhaps his MFI can work out a unique interest rate for SHGs, which is lower than the normal rate. In the 24% per annum rate a big component is to absorb bad debts. He feels that this will not be required for SHGs. They already work on a 15% interest rate for wage employed clients.

The task force members asked him if it will be possible for his MFI to open branches where there are SHGs. He said that it will depend on the critical mass. They normally work on the basis of one Credit officer for 400 clients. We also asked if his MFI could serve the purpose of a bank, where SHGs could deposit their money. He sees no problem with this. They already offer this service to other client groups. He even thinks that they can offer a different savings product and even give a higher interest than the existing 8%.

Another comment that he made was; he sees no conflict between "Business" and "poverty alleviation". In fact both go hand in hand. Unfortunately, NGOs as a whole are not good in financial discipline. They therefore do not lead their beneficiaries very far in the field of business, which is very important for development.

Overall, the meeting was very enlightening and encouraging. 400 clients in a place should not be very difficult for the People's Institution we are trying to build. One CLA is made up of nearly 20 members. Any location where there are 3 to 4 CLAs could be a location for this MFI to set up a Loan Officer.

The General Manager of another MFI in Ethiopia was invited to the Manager's Forum meeting and asked to share about the possibilities of working with the Self Help groups / Cluster Level Associations. This MFI operates in Amhara, SNNPR and Oromia regions of Ethiopia. They plan to extend operations to Tigray, Afhar and Benishangul regions. This is 6 of the 9 regions of Ethiopia extending to even remote regions. This MFI is operational since mid - 2004 and is operationally and financially self-sufficient.

According to the General Manager, a MFI programme has the Mind of a Banker and a Heart of a Social Worker.

This MFI offers the following Loan products:

       -   Agricultural loans, repayment in 8 to 12 months
       -   Agri-business loans, 3 to 4 month repayment installments and 12 months loan tenure
       -   Business loans
       -   Individual loans, with collateral
       -   Consumer loans, for employees with employer guarantee

Interest rates vary from 12.5% to 15% per annum. The higher 15% pa is for the long term agricultural loans. This is in the context of a 9.5% pa interest rate offered by nationalized banks and 24% pa by some MFIs. Nearly 60% of their clients access loans at 12.5%.

This MFI also offers 3 saving products. They are; regular savings, contractual savings and demand savings. They have a micro-insurance scheme covering death benefit. They are considering a health insurance scheme.

The operating methods are through:

       -   Community / village banking system, where groups of 20 to 35 members are formed.
       -   Solidarity groups. Group sizes ranging from 5 to 9.
       -   Individuals

Main focus has been on women and children. Majority of the clients are rural based.

This General Manager was one of those who visited the Self Help project at Nazareth and had sat together with a SHG and a CLA. He said that in principle he appreciated the concept and will support the groups through micro-finance. Some of the observations that touched him are:

• Group members are from the poorest sections of the community, many of them are from female headed households
• The social development aspect was evident. Group members were caring for the sick and bed-ridden persons in the community.
• They have already developed good financial discipline

As far as working with the groups is concerned, the MFI would be as flexible as possible. He also feels that working directly with the SHGs would be favourable and not through CLAs. The non-negotiable aspects in their programme are:

• Poverty alleviation
• Child focus
• Loans should be paid back on time

He emphasized that the only way the MFI would be able to assess the health of a group before deciding to work together will be based on the records maintained by the group. He cautioned that the groups should maintain their records systematically and in a transparent manner. The MFI will provide orientation to the groups on how to maintain records. Loan officers can also provide technical assistance for marketing of clients' products. They generally do not offer Business Development Services or Enterprise Development programmes. They link with other NGOs for these services, where necessary.

The task force had already done a lot of preparatory work. These two meetings with the two MFIs clearly reveal that MFIs are willing and even eager to work with SHGs. Some aspects that stand out clearly are:

• MFIs would prefer working with SHGs rather than CLAs.
• MFIs are willing to establish service points where SHGs are formed, provided they have a viable number of clients.
• The quality of books that are to be maintained by the groups is very important for linkage with MFIs. This aspect should not be compromised. Many promoting organisations are neglecting this aspect.

To operate a financially viable MFI is a professional job and calls for specialized skills. When good MFIs are already operating in the country, too many new players should not join the band wagon without sufficient reason and preparation.

Linkages with banks:

Serious discussions have still not taken place with bank officials although it is on the agenda of the task force. There are two aspects that need attention; opening of bank accounts by the groups and accessing loans from the banks.

Few Promoting Organisations have facilitated their Self Help groups to open bank accounts without fulfilling the condition of having a legal identity. Accounts have been opened with Dashen bank, Awash bank and Abyssinia bank - all private banks. The banks however complain that the SHG transactions are many and involving very small amounts. This is therefore not financially viable for them. Government banks like Commercial Bank are not willing to open accounts for SHGs since they are not registered.

As far as loans are concerned, the present rules controlling banks in Ethiopia stipulates that the minimum loan amount a bank can give is ETB 100,000 (~USD 11,600). This may be too large an amount for the groups at this stage.

The task force hopes to take up these two matters with the banking authorities in the near future.

Future of Task force:

The future of the task force was discussed at the Manager's meeting. The Managers appreciated the good work done by the task force members. When some of them suggested that they should step down, it was decided that the present members continue till the next Manager's meet in November 2005. After that part of the group will be substituted by other members such that the continuity does not beak.

An additional assignment was given to the task force by the Managers in the Forum. They will start looking for relevant insurance schemes for SHG members available in the country. This could be life insurance, health insurance, crop insurance, livestock insurance etc.

On the whole, the task force has done commendable work in a short period of 7 months.

Rwanda:

Report on Work done in all the AEE, Rwanda Centers in 2007

In the year 2007, AEE Rwanda with funding from Kindernothilfe Germany, carried out several activities, with an objective of empowering the communities to be responsible for their lives, more especially the lives of their children.

The subsequent paragraphs give some figures indicating the project progress and a few highlights. The details will be seen in the annual individual field reports. It should however be noted that the figures given and the highlights mentioned exclude the achievements made by the 6 organizations  that are also promoting the self help group concept in their areas of operation with the help of direct supervision from Self help Group National Coordinator  and the achievements of the EU Co-financed Project.

To date AEE has facilitated the formation of 2,067 SHGs which are composed of 37,515 families catering for 114,533 children. Some of the SHGs were directly formed by the AEE staff and community facilitators, and others were formed by community and faith based organizations which expressed interest in the self help approach and were facilitated by AEE to form groups with effect from 2006. There is a total number of 148 CLAs, 5 community federations, and 214 community facilitators (CFs). As of now, AEE works with 30 CBOs/FBOs which promote the approach in their different areas of operation. The members in all the groups have so far made total savings of 156,618,410 Rwandan francs, an equivalent of 188,697 Euro. About 36, 450 SHG members benefited from internal lending, and they used the funds mainly for generating more income, which enabled them to take good care of their children. 

Achievements of the year 2007

In the year 2007, 580 new SHGs composed of 11,145 families with 42,896 children were formed by CBOs/FBOs. The CBO/FBO community facilitators trained the members of the new groups on the basics of the SHG concept. Also 52 CLAs were formed and the members were given training on the CLA concept, as well as CLA roles and responsibilities.

740 SHGs consisting of 13,394 members who have 45,192 children under their care were strengthened through various trainings like; business planning, vision building, financial management, SHG reporting and monitoring, conflict management, maintaining books of account and others which they had requested for during the 2006 needs assessment.

30 SHGs were facilitated to get 30 hybrid he goats and the 600 goats that were produced in 2007 are of a better breed and will sell at a good price when they are grown. Also, 5 SHGs were facilitated to get 5 hybrid bulls and they did not only serve the members of 5 SHGs but also other SHG and non SHG members who get the services at a fee. Reception of the hybrid goats and bulls has revolutionalized the animal husbandry of the SHG members as well as other community members.    

As a way of promoting food security, 210 SHG/CLA members representing others were trained in usage of organic manure, conserving water into the fields for longer times to encourage better yields, soil fertility protection, planting assorted seeds and building simple home food stores and they reached more than 2,800 community members with the same training. This has brought about an improvement in their farming and an increase in the harvests, hence enabling them to have more food for their children at home. Also, 1 grain bank, was constructed where both SHG and interested non-members stored their surplus crops during the harvest period, and sold them at a higher price in the post harvest period. The grain bank enabled the community members to store their crops in safe custody. The CLAs facilitated the members to start their own fund, in which every member contributed and borrowed at their time of need, before the crops were ready for harvest. In addition, the CLAs also linked the members to people’s banks from which they borrowed some money, and paid it after selling their crops at a good price. Having an access to funds enabled the SHG members to avoid exploitative rich traders who used to take advantage of them and bought their crops at a low cost while they were still in the garden, before they were ready for harvest.  

25 CLAs were also strengthened through trainings, study tours where they learnt new technologies and experience sharing meetings where they learnt from each others experience. After the training they passed on the received knowledge to 245 member SHGs. Part of the training was for equipping them to be more effective in their work of backing their member SHGs.

5 already existing community federations that were formed in 2006 received training on several topics like; linkage and networking, lobby and advocacy skills, rights based approach, gender and development, and resource mobilization and others, so that they could be empowered to cater for the holistic development and empowerment of the groups that they stand for, and for the community as a whole.   

107 community facilitators were trained on various topics including, facilitation skills, business mindset, management of small business, bookkeeping and others, as a way of strengthening them to make consistent follow up on the activities of the SHGs/CLAs.

285 community members that were some time back in the KNH funded and AEE loan program and had children that were sponsored by the former child and family support program were encouraged to continue using the revolving fund, so that they could get uniforms, scholastic materials and other necessities for their children, especially since the organizations that took on sponsoring their children do not provide anything over and above school fees.

Further equipping and expanding of the resource centers was done. 36 resource persons from the community were trained on information gathering, after which they gathered lots of information that is relevant to the approach. The information included; service providers locally based in the different areas of operation and criteria for accessing their services, available and relevant technologies and innovations in the area, success stories and best practices.

30 children forums were created and through them, the children learnt that they are right holders, based on justice, fairness and equity. They also learnt other important topics like; reproductive health, creative art, role play and others. In addition, they shared their joys, concerns and responsibilities during their regular meetings. With the support of CLA and federation members as well as some community leaders, the children’s forums conducted 15 awareness raising campaigns on child rights through music, poetry, dance and drama in the different areas of operation. The community members who included; parents, teachers, and church members were reminded of the fact that they are bearers of duty and responsibility towards their own children as well as the community children especially the orphans. The parents and community members understood their responsibility, and 17 child rights’ committees were formed so that they could constantly follow up on community members, to ensure that they are respecting the children’s rights.

After knowing their duty to the parentless community children through the awareness raising campaigns of the children’s forums, 280 community members volunteered to become mentors. They were trained on guidance, counseling and child rights, so that they could comfort the children and fend for their rights, and also facilitate other community members to fend for these rights. The mentors took direct care of 1,020 lonely orphans, and they gave them comfort and hope for a better tomorrow.  

Also, 270 girls and women were trained on gender balance, Rwandan family laws, and lobby and advocacy. They reached 3,240 with the same training, who got to know that girls and women should be given their due respect, and was evidenced in the changed behavior in many homes after the trainings.

Besides raising awareness on child rights and gender, different activities were conducted in the AEE centers of operation which were geared and opening the eyes of community members to valuing child, youth and adult education. It is in this respect that 12 new community kindergartens were established and they accommodated 1,000 children. 24 new community members volunteered to teach the children and they were trained in child psychology, making simple lesson plans suitable for children, making new games for the children, how to involve children in different issues, and good teaching methods, as a way of facilitating them to know how to communicate to the children. 59 existing community kindergartens were facilitated through retraining of 118 volunteer teachers on children guidance and counseling, game material preparation, children’s rights, and methods for sensitizing young children on HIV/AIDS and others  and provision of necessary materials like teaching charts, boards, chalk. The centers managed to accommodate 4,460 community children aged between 3 and 6.

AEE also facilitated the construction of 2 simple community centers which were multi purposed. They served as community kindergartens, youth and adult literacy centers, halls for community meetings, and training centers for SHGs and CLAs. 

In addition, the CLA members facilitated 390 children to get off the streets. The children were rehabilitated and integrated into the community. They were facilitated to attend the catch up accelerated program, in 3 different primary schools, and 185 desks were provided to the primary schools so that they could be able to accommodate the former street children.

2 pit latrines with 10 cubicles each were built at 2 schools and they enabled 500 teenage girls to have enough privacy. 30 senior women teachers from 2 different schools were trained in counseling, with a purpose of counseling girls to remain in school. After the training, the senior teachers reached 1,200 vulnerable girls who they encouraged to stay in school.

1,420 teenagers were trained in the literacy program which integrated improved crop and animal husbandry, as well as income generating activities. 13 bicycles were given to volunteers who teach in the literacy centers and come from far away, so that they could be facilitated in their regular journeys to and fro the youth literacy centers. 

The skills of 80 local artisans were upgraded in marketable skills in the area, and after their training, they helped 240 youth to do apprenticeship in their workshops. Resulting from the apprenticeship that the youth did, they managed to start earning a living for themselves and for their siblings, for those that live in child headed households.

The issue of health was also catered for in the year 2007 in the communities of operation.    2 seminars on reproductive health were conducted and they reached 1,600 teenagers. 300 SHG/CLA representatives were trained on different health issues, including; best hygiene practices, personal hygiene, home improvement and sanitation, etc and they in turn held 6 seminars and 9 mass campaigns which reached 5,200 community members with the same teachings. 4,800 school children in 5 schools were also reached with the same message through 5 campaigns and they started acting as agents of change.

Several areas of operation had a problem of safe water, the CLAs and federations in conjunction with the AEE staff facilitated the protection of 6 springs. Also, 5 primary schools and 1 kindergarten were facilitated to get water tanks at their schools so that the children could get safe water for using while at school. 80 SHG/CLA members were trained on maintenance of water sources and tanks and dissemination of information on best hygiene practices and they in turn reached 7,500 children and community members who benefited from the springs and water tanks. Resulting from getting safe water and training on best hygiene practices, a remarkable reduction in water borne diseases has been noticed among the reached children and community members.  

HIV/AIDS was also tackled in a special way as it is looked at as one of the greatest enemies of humanity. It is for this reason that 15 awareness creation meetings were organized in the different areas of operation and over 7,000 community members were reached. Further training for the already existing 324 community volunteers was also done, and topics like prevention of mother to child transmission (PMCT), trauma healing and child psychology were emphasized. 160 SHG and non SHG local midwives were also trained on PMCT, so that they could prevent mother to baby transmission.   

340 community members were trained on guidance, resilience, and coping with parents death. A total number of 1,360 children were reached in their homes and they were comforted. Also 206 volunteer care takers were trained on filling memory books, and they in turn trained 412 people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWA). In addition the care takers were trained on counseling, guidance, children’s rights, building children resilience and home based care for HIV/AIDS patients. They received health kits and managed to reach 618 people living with HIV and AIDS (PLWA).

As reconciliation is a very important issue in the post war Rwanda, 80 community members/youths were trained to promote the concept of reconciliation and peace building. Through artistic activities and sports, 1,840 young men and women were sensitized on the reconciliation concept. This resulted into people leaving their acrimonious tendencies and they embarked on productive activities which enabled them to take good care of their children.

273 community members were trained on environmental protection basics, like energy saving charcoal stoves, terracing, mulching and reforestation. They reached 2,220 community members with the same training. In addition, sensitization events on environmental conservation were organized and they were carried out through music, drama and poetry which depicted the advantages of conserving the environment. 6,000 people were reached by the message.

The SHG/CLA/federation members collaborated and networked with different local, national and international organizations in order to reinforce the activities of the self help approach in the areas of operation. These included; microfinance institutions, agricultural institutions, organizations that offer services to HIV positive people and several others.

Staff training was also conducted on various topics that included; lobby and advocacy, better facilitation methods, project management cycle, English, report and proposal writing, and group dynamics. The staff also participated in different NGO forum meetings, workshops and consultative meetings, as well as inter-field staff visits, which facilitated them to sharpen one another.    

Signs of transformation

From desperation to an amply supplied life 

Uwayo Regina is a 40 year aged widow with 4 children, and a member of one of the SHGs in Rubavu. After the death of her husband who took care of the family, she started suffering greatly with her children. Below is the story of her life;

“After the death of my husband life came to a stand still. I didn’t know how I would survive with my children, for all I had was a small garden by the side of my house, which couldn’t yield enough food for us throughout the year. My children dropped out of school and I became desperate as I didn’t know what to do. We sometimes spent a day without a meal until a kind neighbor would give us something to eat. I sold part of the few family belongings which I had, so as to keep life going, but still I was faced with a mountainous problem which I didn’t know how to go about.” 

She adds that, “In my desperate situation, the self help approach was introduced in my village in 2006 and I was identified as one of the poorest community members and I joined one of the SHGs. I received the basic training on the SHG approach, which included among others; saving, management of small businesses, as well as business mind set. I got a loan from the SHG and I started selling some foodstuff in the market place. I started making some profits, and life at home started changing. My children and I could now get some food and other few basic necessities. I managed to repay the first loan, and I got into the habit of getting loans and reimbursing them. This gave a big boost to my business, and one year after joining the SHG, I was able to send my children back to school. My SHG performed very well in business and our CLA linked us to a microfinance institution, where we get loans that are bigger than the amount provided by the group.”

Full of joy, Regina says that, “My business has grown, and we get our basic necessities without much difficulty. I have managed to buy a piece of land in our village where I grow a substantial amount of food, part of which I now sell. My heart is full of gratitude to Kindernothilfe Germany which supports AEE Rwanda to promote the self help approach in different communities of very poor people. Long Live KNH, Long Live AEE Rwanda!

Regina’s new big  piece of land; there are crops for food at home and for sale.

Changed attitudes among the community members due to children’s forums

The children’s forums in the different AEE centers serve to create awareness among the community members on various topics like child rights, gender balance and others. The forums are a platform for the children to speak out to the parents, teachers and other community members on what is due to them.

Jane is a member of one of the children’s forums in Huye, and she has a story to tell on what changes have come into her home as a result of the children’s forums.

She says that, “My father used to be very harsh with my mother, myself and my two siblings. Sometimes when he would come home after drinking alcohol, he would beat our mother in our presence and this would make us very sad. He would also kick us around and we would quickly rush to our beds, sometimes without eating our night’s meal.”

She adds that, “One day, with support from the CLAs, community federation and community leaders, our 3 children’s forums in our village organized a competition and invited the parents in the area and other community members, and both my parents came, together with many other parents. We held a competition through songs, drama, and poetry, and we passed on a message to the elderly people, indicating the present status of children in the community, our unmet needs in terms of health, education, nutrition, protection and the fact that we don’t participate in decision making, even in matters concerning us, and in developmental activities. We also pointed out the gender discriminations taking place in our village, how women and girls are not given their due respect.”

She added that, “Besides indicating our present status and that of the female sex in our community, we also indicated the status and treatment that we desire. Different local leaders and parents gave speeches in support of what had been presented, and the people present were deeply touched, including my father. While some traces of harshness remained in my father, there was noticeable change in him after the presentation.”

She goes on to say that, “The forums made 2 more presentations in the course of 2007, at different times and my father attended. On the last time, he became so deeply touched and was so calm at home. From that day onwards, he did not beat our mother again, and nor did he kick us around again. He became a totally changed man and life at home has been very peaceful since then. He now gives us school fees on time, and yet in the past he would wait until we would be chased out of class. He also takes us to hospital when we are sick, while in the past that was a duty of my mother, and my mother alone. He helps out with the garden work during the weekends when he has not gone to do his usual work of house building. In our village, it is very evident that the attitude of the parents and other community members towards children has changed, and they try to give them their due rights to the best of their ability. The women and girls also receive their due respect. A friend of mine told me that their parents’ attitude towards children had changed and that they were doing their level best to respect their rights! ”

She ends by saying that, “Mere words are not enough for me to express how grateful I am to Kindernothife Germany, which through AEE Rwanda has served to bring peace in our home.”   

After making 3 presentations in their village, the leaders were so much impressed by the children’s forums, because many people were greatly impacted and lots of changes were noticed in the area of operation pertaining to respecting children’s rights and giving equal respect and opportunities to male and female. When they made their report, they recommended that one of the forums should make a presentation at the national level. When the report reached the high ranking officials, one of the children’s forums was invited to attend and present at a National event in Kigali. In their presentation the children talked about the type of nation (Rwanda) that they wish to live in and they talked about parents and leaders as duty bearers, who have to practice justice and respect the rights of children.

The photo below was taken at the National event. The children of Mbazi sector in Huye District where the SHGs are were making their presentation in music and drama. Present were the Rwandan President, his wife and many other high ranking government officials.   

A ray of light shines in the life of Jean Uwimana and his siblings

Jean is a 17 year old orphan boy and a member of one of the SHGs in Rwamagana. He lost both his parents to HIV/AIDS. In his own words he tells the story of his life:

He says, “Both my parents died due to HIV/AIDS, and as the eldest child in the family, I had to shoulder the responsibility of catering for my 2 siblings, but I did not know where to begin from, because by the time my parents died, I had dropped out of school, and we had sold most of our family property, including part of our family land, so as to get medical care for them and other family needs. I had to do odd jobs like going to people’s homes and doing whatever work they could give to me, so that I could get a day’s meal. Life was so harsh at home, and my siblings had to eventually drop out school, as I could not sustain them there any more. They too started doing odd work like carrying people’s luggage at the market place. Through these odd jobs, we sometimes got enough to eat, and at other times, we didn’t get any work so we had to spend a day or night without any food.”

He adds that, “In 2006, the self help approach was introduced in my home village and I joined one of the groups for children heading families. I started meeting with other young people like me who had the responsibility of catering for their young siblings, and this enabled me to see that I was not the only one faced with problems, but when I would be at home, I would sometimes feel so lonely together with my siblings.”

One bright morning, he adds, a ray of hope shone in our home. An elderly lady called Chantal, one of the members of our community, and also a member of one of the SHGs came to pay us a visit. She said that she wanted to become our parent, and to be helping us wherever possible. From then onwards, she started visiting us very often, took time to listen to our life story, and told us comforting words. She also sometimes brought some food for us, and helped us with work in our small garden. Our loneliness started disappearing, new hope came to our lives and we felt that life was beginning to have meaning and purpose once again.”

He goes on to say that, “Like other SHG members, I borrowed some little money from our group’s savings fund and I started a small business of selling a variety of vegetables and other items that are needed on a daily basis in people’s homes. Slowly I started making some profit and this enabled us to have some food in the house. In 2007, members of my self help group, as well as other children that didn’t have a chance to continue with their education (both SHG and non SHG members) were registered to do apprenticeship in some workshops of local artisans, and I was fortunate to be one of them. I learnt welding and completed my training in September. Together with 5 other young people, we were facilitated to get tools and materials to use for starting a small workshop where we could practice our learnt skill and begin earning a living. We have now started making some items which we sell and get some little money for food and other basic necessities at home. My young sister has continued with our small business at the market, and as such we are able to earn some additional money to keep us going at home. I hope to send my siblings to school in the near future so that they can continue with formal education. Our new mother has continued to be a great source of courage to us and she has promised to help me with some scholastic materials, once I manage to send my siblings to school.”

He ends by saying that, “I’m really so thankful to Kindernothife Germany, for her immense support to AEE Rwanda, which enables her to reach out to the suffering and vulnerable children and other community members.”

Conclusion

AEE Rwanda is very grateful to Kindernothilfe and her sponsors for the continued support, which facilitated her to reach many vulnerable children and their families, giving them new hope and a purpose for living.