Program aims to alleviate unemployment in Rwanda
September 11, 2017
The Presbyterian Church of Rwanda has created a program for youth to get the training to start small businesses. Unemployment is a particularly big challenge among ages 18–26. Sometimes there are 5,000 applicants for one job.
With the support of World Mission’s regional liaison Nancy Collins, and a grant from Presbyterian Women, the Presbyterian Church of Rwanda created a program that is showing strong results called “Best Future from Today.”
The church’s youth coordinator, Epimu Epimaque Munyankindi, took the initial grant from Presbyterian Women to buy equipment to start a small recording studio. Presbyterian church choirs can record their own music and sell CDs. Individuals and groups outside the church have also used the studio for a fee, creating an additional revenue stream.
“The PC(USA) knows that with a good idea, you can go even beyond what you expect,” Munyankindi said. “We are really thankful for them and Presbyterian Women; thanks to them for the funding. It has been like a dream.”
Rwanda youth have been able to start 10 separate projects under the “Best Future from Today” project thanks to the Presbyterian Women grant, including a public relations project known as “Sophia” that started last year.
“If we’re looking at the issue of sustainability and if a project can continue after initial funding,” Collins said, “this one is a really great example of how a project can both continue and expand.”
Video URL: https://vimeo.com/220502248
Kathy Melvin, Director of Mission Communications, Presbyterian Mission Agency
Today’s Focus: Unemployment in Rwanda
Let us join in prayer for:
PC(USA) Mission Co-Workers
David Cortes-Fuentes, Cuba
Kurt Esslinger, South Korea
Hyeyoung Lee, South Korea
PC(USA) Agencies’ Staff
Laura Olliges, PILP
Scott O’Neill, PMA
Let us pray:
Holy One, shape us according to your purpose, so that we may reflect your glory. Bless us to be a blessing. This we pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Daily Readings
Morning Psalms 5; 145
First Reading 1 Kings 13:1-10
Second Reading Philippians 1:1-11
Gospel Reading Mark 15:40-47
Evening Psalms 82; 29
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