Member Article

Crowdfunding For A Better Future In Rwanda

A NEWCASTLE-BASED international development charity has launched a crowdfunding campaign to help families affected by the Rwanda genocide. Shared Interest Foundation aims to raise just over £8,000 by the end of April.

Head of Foundation, Chris Pay said: “Just over 20 years ago, Rwanda was witness to a horrifying genocide. Many women lost their husbands and families, and found themselves with no source of income to support themselves and their children.”

Looking to support one another and share their skills, women formed groups in the community. This led to them working together to produce handcraft products, including bowls, jewellery, and gift cards. By selling these products they were able to earn a basic living.

The support groups developed into larger co-operatives, but without training or the skills to run a business, many have struggled to increase their sales and provide a better wage for their members.

Chris continued: “We want to provide training and mentoring to ten of these groups so that they can run their co-operatives more effectively, sell more products and increase the incomes of over 600 women.

“After running similar training programmes in Rwanda, we have seen first-hand the difference they can make. What does this mean in everyday terms? Women have been able to provide their family with two meals a day rather than one, and others have been able to buy mattresses so they no longer have to sleep on the floor.”

Pledge from £10 upwards to be part of this crowdfunding campaign. People who pledge £50 receive a personal thank you card from one of the co-operatives; £100 means you receive a handmade gift from one of the beneficiaries. Please visit http://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/rwanda to find out more; or www.shared-interest.com/foundation.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Lucy McMahon .