The Problem

Following the devastating Genocide in 1994, the Rwandan people are committed to forgiving and healing their lives and their economy. Rwanda is now stable but 60% of the population still lives on less than $1.25 a day. Many of those living in poverty are women who were widowed during the genocide, and are now struggling to provide for their children’s most basic needs. Without food or education, they live in a world with no opportunity and little hope. 

Opportunity Changes Everything: Clementine's Story

Since August 2007, Opportunity has been providing hard-working Rwandan entrepreneurs with the tools they need to lift themselves out of poverty. By offering microfinance services, including loans, savings, and training, to thousands of women across Rwanda, Opportunity is giving hope to impoverished Rwandans and their families. 

For one female Opportunity client, Clementine Uzabakiriho, the opportunity to grow her business changed everything. Clementine started with no money, no fields, and no future for her or her family. But after years of hard work, Clementine is now on her 11th loan cycle with Opportunity, employs 41 neighbors in her sorghum wheat business, and has used her profits to help build a local church and send her children to school. 

"I started selling one sack of sorghum," Clementine says, "and now I'm selling over 1,000 sacks a week."

How You Can Help

With $208, you can provide a first-time loan to a woman in Rwanda. Once her loan is repaid, your donation will be recycled to become another loan, helping to build up the local economy. Each loan recipient will use the money to increase her business profits, enabling her to build a better future for her family and improve her community.