Deep in the rolling hills of Rwanda, past paved roads and countless banana plantations, Munini lies five hours south of the capital city of Kigali. Ishimwe Delphine, a 23-year-old Munini resident, participated in Dufatanye’s SOYEE project, saying months after its conclusion that:
“In the past, some young men would offer us money because we lacked our own income. Today, no one can give me money that way because I earn my own. We farm as we were trained, sell our produce on the market, and meet our needs. We are putting into practice everything we learned, and we will not give up, we will continue.”
Financial literacy and modern agriculture skills have strengthened confidence, independence, and self-reliance among Delphine and other young women who participated in the project.
In August 2024, Dufatanye launched the Skills and Opportunities for Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship (SOYEE) Project in collaboration with Plan International Rwanda. For almost a year, the youth of the Munini Sector received training related to entrepreneurship, climate-smart agriculture, saving methodology (VSLA), and sexual and reproductive health and rights. Although the project concluded in June 2025, youth-led activities continue, demonstrating that the skills and practices introduced have taken root.
With a total of 130 participants, 79 girls and 51 boys, the SOYEE Project focused on equipping young people with practical skills, confidence, and systems that allow them to continue progressing independently beyond the project cycle. Nirere Claudine, a 21-year-old SOYEE Project participant, told Dufatanye, “In our [saving] group, Ejo Nitwe [meaning ‘tomorrow is for us’], we save and lend to one another. When a member faces a financial challenge, they can borrow and resolve the issue quickly…” For Claudine, the VSLA has become a strong foundation for progress, supporting financial management, mutual assistance, and reinvestment in productive agriculture.
She continued saying, “Even after the project ended, we did not lose momentum. We continued farming, especially potatoes, and we have already harvested more than 800 kilograms. Beyond that, we are planning to grow beans and expand into other crops.” The SOYEE project laid a sustainable foundation for dozens of participants that allowed them to continue growing independently months after completing training.
The youth of Munini demonstrate that when skills are combined with commitment and collective action, impact becomes sustainable. Through saving, mutual support, and modern farming, they are building resilient livelihoods and contributing to local development, long after the project’s completion.
“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor.” Ecclesiastes 4:9