The Rwamwanja Women Empowerment Group (RWEG) is a refugee-led organization that has received significant support from Tomorrow Vijana. In an interview with Nsimire Sandra, the Executive Director of RWEG, she shared the following insights on the impact of Tomorrow Vijana's support:
Question 1: Did your organization receive any support from Tomorrow Vijana? If yes, what support?
Nsimire Sandra: Yes, our organization received support from Tomorrow Vijana in the following areas:
Agriculture: Tomorrow Vijana provided RWEG with capacity building and various forms of assistance in agriculture. This support helped RWEG to establish demonstration gardens, improve kitchen gardens, and increase agricultural productivity.
Village Savings and Loans Association (VISLA): Tomorrow Vijana trained RWEG on the importance of saving and helped them to establish a VISLA. This has helped RWEG to build financial resilience and support its members' entrepreneurial activities.
Proposal writing and effective use of social media: Tomorrow Vijana trained RWEG on proposal writing and effective use of social media. This training has helped RWEG to communicate its work more effectively and secure funding for its projects.
Market linkages: Tomorrow Vijana trained RWEG's beneficiaries on market linkages, enabling them to market their products effectively. This support has helped RWEG to increase its income and improve the livelihoods of its members.
Question 2: Can you briefly explain how the support has impacted your organization?
Nsimire Sandra: The support from Tomorrow Vijana has had a significant impact on our organization in the following ways:
Increased agricultural productivity: RWEG's beneficiaries have been able to establish demonstration gardens and improve their kitchen gardens, leading to increased agricultural productivity. This has helped to improve the food security and nutrition of RWEG's members and the wider community.
Strengthened financial resilience: The establishment of a VISLA has helped RWEG to build financial resilience and support its members' entrepreneurial activities. This has helped to reduce poverty and improve the livelihoods of RWEG's members.
Improved communication and fundraising: The training on proposal writing and effective use of social media has helped RWEG to communicate its work more effectively and secure funding for its projects. This has enabled RWEG to expand its reach and impact.
Increased income: The training on market linkages has helped RWEG's beneficiaries to market their products more effectively, leading to increased income. This has helped to improve the livelihoods of RWEG's members and the wider community.
Question 3: What would you suggest Tomorrow Vijana do more for your organization's growth or for other RLOs?
Nsimire Sandra: I have the following suggestions for Tomorrow Vijana:
Continue providing capacity building initiatives to other RLOs, particularly in the areas of report writing and proposal development. This will help RLOs to communicate their work more effectively and secure funding for their projects.
Train RLOs in information and communication technology (ICT), specifically basic computer skills, Microsoft Office, and internet usage. This will enable RLOs to connect with potential donors, expand their network of support, and access information and resources online.
Provide RLOs with access to financial services. This will help RLOs to build financial resilience and support their members' entrepreneurial activities.
I believe that by implementing these suggestions, Tomorrow Vijana can continue to play a vital role in empowering RLOs and helping them to achieve their goals.
Conclusion
The success of the Rwamwanja Women Empowerment Group is a testament to the importance of supporting refugee-led organizations. Tomorrow Vijana is playing a vital role in empowering RLOs and helping them to achieve their goals. By continuing to provide capacity building, technical support, and other resources, Tomorrow Vijana can help RLOs to make a positive impact on the lives of refugees and the communities in which they live.