In February, I had the opportunity to participate in a working trip to Rwanda with African Road. As part of my role as the Grants Manager and Impact Curator, this trip was an important step in continuing to develop African Road’s processes for measuring the impact of our work in communities across East Africa. It was also an incredible reminder of what is possible when we each bring our unique skills, gifts, perspectives, and knowledge to share, collaborate, and co-create together.
Since the real work of creating and sustaining lasting change is taking place within communities throughout East Africa, it’s important that the ownership for monitoring progress take shape at the grassroots level. Changemaker David Clemy, founder and director of VICOBA Plus, has been an important advisor and thought partner as this process has developed over the past several years. With his input, this trip prioritized important conversations about measuring impact, guided by the voices of the people in the communities whose lives have been impacted by the work of African Road.
With the amazing expertise and deep relational connection to the community members, Changemakers Peninah Mukashema and Philbert Kalisa facilitated two days of meaningful gatherings with four REACH Unity groups in Kirehe and Kayonza villages in Rwanda. Several group participants shared openly and bravely about their journey, with their fellow group members quick to encourage and celebrate. The energy, hope, and pride they had in themselves and each other was easy to see.
These groups were formed in the aftermath of the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda, as part of REACH’s work to bring together perpetrators and survivors of the genocide for the long and hard journey of healing, reconciliation, and peacebuilding. Part of the REACH reconciliation process was each Unity group coming together regularly around a shared activity (such as farming or running small businesses) to foster ongoing cooperation, conflict resolution, teamwork, and stability.
After identifying the need to increase the financial stability of Unity groups to further support the wellbeing of the members, Changemaker Philbert enlisted the help of Changemaker David, with support from African Road, to bring VICOBA Plus training to five Unity Groups since 2019. The cross-pollination of these two programs sparked inspiring results, empowering Unity group members to shift their mindsets from focusing on what they need to what they have. This is the first step in being able to identify their available resources and expand their dreams for what is possible, all while strengthening their group cohesion, engagement, and conflict resolution strategies. Peninah, as the VICOBA Plus lead facilitator in Rwanda, and REACH Eastern Province staff and team leader John, have supported the groups with regular visits, check-ins, coaching, and training.
During our recent trip, I had the honor of hearing the stories of several members from each group who shared about how their lives have changed since the groups received VICOBA Plus training just six years ago. Together they have launched or accelerated a variety of innovative business ventures, from farming ventures to sewing shops, and from selling handcrafted goods to renting chairs for events. They save money together as a group, and give loans to members to expand their initiatives or improve their houses. One group even joins together to buy cooking supplies in bulk, bringing down their household costs and increasing their savings. As a collective, they are saving, growing, investing, purchasing land, and lifting each other up.
“From the beginning of training, one word comes to mind when asked ‘what do you have?’ I thought I had nothing. But after VICOBA Plus trainings, I realized I had a lot. We talked about achieving dreams. I have energy, health, I have things I can do. That’s when I started the journey of dreaming. I had nothing, but after [VICOBA Plus] training, I had saved 180,000 RWF. The money helped to renovate my house. I bought a car and sell milk from my cow. I am able to pay school fees for my two children in high school.” Her husband also joined the group because he saw the difference it made for their family.”
– Liberate
This teamwork and collaboration produces creative solutions. One Unity group saved their funds and over time, purchased a goat for each group member. It was agreed upon that after the third year of each goat reproducing, a baby goat would be gifted back to the group and sold to benefit the group’s savings. Now, every member has a goat at home and the results are clear – they are renovating their houses and sending their children to university.
Even more, they went from being looked down upon by their community to being the ones people rely on. Several REACH VICOBA Plus Unity groups now cover the health insurance of families in their community who could otherwise not afford it. They are using their resources to uplift the broader community.
“I started dreaming, I started saving money. I painted my house. People in the village now call me a designer.”
– Floresta
This ripple effect is the impact of the VICOBA Plus process – when people start realizing the resources they have available to them, it changes how they see themselves and their circumstances, and it propels them forward toward a different future. A future in which they are dignified, respected, essential members of society, and agents of change. This enhances the self-confidence of the individuals as they feel capable and empowered to make change in their lives and support their families, while strengthening the fabric of the Unity Groups through collective goals and action, and sharing the benefits with the broader community.
“Something that is most special to me, I now have self confidence.”
– Ange, Ebenezer VICOBA Plus group
Even more, they are still dreaming of what else they can accomplish together. They have goals to buy land to expand their farming, and for many in the group who are illiterate, learn to read and write so they can assume leadership roles in local government and run their businesses with more skills.
“If we bring our energy and potential together, we can do something powerful.”
– REACH Unity Group member and VICOBA Plus participant
Witnessing the power of community coming together with so much love, trust, joy, and vision for creating a better future together is so inspiring. The individual and collective impact of VICOBA Plus within the REACH Unity Groups highlights for me elements for success that are often missing in our more individualistic and materialistic culture in the US. There’s so much to learn from the wisdom of both REACH and VICOBA Plus.
These groups are evidence that repairing the fabric of society after trauma is an inherently communal process, and is only possible together. Because together, individuals are empowered to become agents of change in their own lives, finding dignity and purpose. Together, groups are strengthened with deep trust and care for each other. Together, entire communities are uplifted.
How can we shift our mindsets to the abundance of what we have (both tangible and intangible resources) instead of focusing on what we need? What could it look like for us to connect with and rely on community with others for support, inspiration, and hope? What creative solutions could emerge from this?
“Without fear, with hope and courage, I know we will be strong together.”
– Donatile, Ebenezer VICOBA Plus group