Although this Newsletter provides impact reports, unapologetically, it is also includes an appeal for donations or investments in development as we often call them. Most of our Newsletters focus on reporting our program and project progress. Our last Newsletter included an appeal for donations, provided information on our impressive productivity and this Newsletter provides impact testimonials drawn directly from our beneficiaries themselves.
During a visit to our Kabezi project location, we interviewed beneficiaries to discover the impact their projects have had on increasing their self-esteem, alleviating their poverty and improving their lives and the lives of their family members. When you review the impact our development projects are having, we believe that you could consider donating to the Haley McCready Outreach and Development Fund to be worthy investment into the improvement of poor Burundian women’s lives and the lives of their families.
The reality is that Burundi is one of the poorest countries in the world. The main business of the Haley McCready Outreach and Development Fund is to provide one-time, start-up grants to small self-help project associations of poor Burundian women who collectively become involved in revenue-generating crop cultivation, animal husbandry and microfinancing. Each project is designed and required to be self-supporting, self-managing, self-governing and self-sustaining and it works! Our agriculture and livestock development projects are successful and long-lasting; the projects produce results, increase self-esteem, alleviate poverty and improve the lives of our individual beneficiaries and their family members; see Donations – Haley McCready Outreach and Development Fund that now includes some new instructions on Qualified Charitable IRA Rollover donations.
Introduction
The following impact reports are based on interview testimonies from project beneficiaries of the Haley McCready Outreach and Development Fund’s Kabezi project location in Gaseru Colline, Kabezi Commune, Bujumbura Rural Province. The Kabezi project location is our largest, most successful project location. The first project grant was awarded in 2012 and the second project grant was provided in 2013; these development projects have been self-supporting for more than 12 years.
- Improved Food Security at Gaseru Colline, Kabezi Commune, Bujumbura Province Rural
- Development of Vegetable Culture for the Self-Financing of IAP Twubake, Gaseru Colline, Kabezi Commune, Bujumbura Province Rural
The first project association started with 15 poor women and the second project started with 16 poor women. The first project used their grant money to buy 5 goats that were given to 5 of the beneficiaries and, when the goats had kids, the kids were given to another 5 women and, when those goats had kids, they were given to the remaining 5 women and then all of the 15 beneficiaries had goats.
Using the same practice of giving goats to other poor women, the first project replicated itself twice. The original started with 15 poor women and the first replication had 24 beneficiaries and second replication had 20 poor women. After two no-grant project replications, the Kabezi project location had four projects, four project associations and a total of 75 project beneficiaries.
Our last Newsletter provided a report on our impressive productivity; our results in the number of development projects, beneficiaries, family members, animals, sold animals and project locations.
- Focusing on Kabezi projects, we have a total of 4 projects, 75 beneficiaries, 450 family members, 347 animals (304 goats and 43 pigs) and 295 sold animals
- Including our Canadian Fund, we have a total of 63 projects, 681 beneficiaries, 4,086 family members, 1,217 animals (goats and pigs) and 745 animals sold
This Newsletter tries to go beyond the numbers and report on the impact of our projects; it tries to highlight the benefits of our projects for individual project beneficiaries and their family members. To develop testimonial impact reports from our beneficiaries themselves, three Kabezi women were selected for interviews by three visitors; Joseph NSABIMANA, Rev. Dieudonne IRAMBONA and Rev. Epithace NDUWAYO. The information that was gathered from the three beneficiaries was compiled and organized into the following three impact reports by Rev. Dieudonne IRAMBONA; our Program Coordinator.
As you read the three following impact reports, you will notice the benefits the women have received and that produce serious impact on their lives.
1. NDIMUMUCO Jeannette – Testimony on Animal Husbandry; Interviewed by Joseph NSABIMANA
Jeannette NDIMUMUCO is an active member of the UBUMWE Association and, therefore, she has benefitted from the animals she has acquired and the microfinancing repayable loans she has received. NDIMUMUCO Jeanette’s involvement in the association has improved her life and the lives of her family members.
Personal Information
- Name: NDIMUMUCO Jeannette
- Age: 50 years
- Location: Gaseru Hill, Kabezi Commune
- Family: Widow with 4 children
Association Membership
- Association: UBUMWE
- Role: Active member benefiting from loans and support
- Financial Empowerment
- Loan Received: Acquired a loan from UBUMWE, facilitating investment in agriculture
- Sales:
- Sold a total of 4 goats, generating additional income
- Sold 50 rabbits, enhancing her financial capacity
- Total Income: Generated one million Burundi Francs (BIF) from the sale of goats and rabbits
- Agricultural Development
- Land Acquisition: Jeannette used the totalized funds to buy suitable land for crop cultivation for her family
- Current Assets:
- Goats: 3 goats retained after sales, providing ongoing livestock resources
- Rabbits: 10 rabbits currently owned, contributing to both income and food security
- Chickens: 3 chickens, offering eggs and meat for family sustenance
- Impact on Family and Community
- Food Security: The eggs from the chickens and potential meat provide nutritional benefits for her children
- Manure Access: Through association resources, she can easily obtain manure, which enhances the productivity of her cultivated land
- Community Engagement: As a member of UBUMWE, she benefits from shared resources and knowledge, fostering a sense of community and cooperation
- Personal Satisfaction
- Happiness and Fulfillment: NDIMUMUCO Jeannette expresses happiness in being part of the UBUMWE Association, which has significantly improved her economic situation and empowered her as a mother
Conclusion
NDIMUMUCO Jeannette’s journey illustrates the positive impact of community support and financial empowerment through the UBUMWE Association initiated by the Haley McCready Outreach and Development Fund. Her ability to improve her agricultural practices, enhance her family’s food security and contribute to her community underlines the importance of such initiatives in fostering sustainable development.
2. NIVYONYENE Josephine – President of the UBUMWE Confederation; Interviewed by Rev. Dieudonne IRAMBONA
Josephine NIVYONYENE is the President of the UBUMWE Confederation, which comprises four associations under the Haley McCready Outreach and Development Fund. This confederation empowers 75 vulnerable women in Gaseru Hill, Kabezi Commune. Josephine, a dedicated leader and mother of six, has made significant strides in enhancing her community’s wellbeing through her leadership and entrepreneurial activities.
Personal Information
- Name: NIVYONYENE Josephine
- Age: 32 years
- Children: 6
- Position: President of the UBUMWE Confederation
- Financial Empowerment
- Josephine received a loan from the UBUMWE Confederation, which she combined with her family savings to purchase a bicycle; the bicycle serves as a taxi, generating additional income for her family
- She sold a goat received from the confederation to invest in a pig, which subsequently produced six pigs; the sale of these pigs allowed her to acquire a plot of land, enhancing her agricultural capacity
- Community Support and Solidarity
- Josephine emphasizes the strong sense of community within the UBUMWE Confederation; members collectively support one another during challenges, fostering a nurturing environment that promotes resilience and solidarity among women
- She considers the confederation as her family, highlighting the emotional and social bonds formed within the group
- Agricultural Advancement
- With access to manure from the confederation, Josephine can fertilize her land, increasing productivity and ensuring food security for her family
- The success of her pig and goat breeding initiatives demonstrates her commitment to sustainable agricultural practices
- Personal Growth and Leadership Development
- Josephine notes significant personal growth in decision-making, economic development and community involvement since becoming the President of the Confederation.
- Her leadership role has strengthened her commitment to empowering other women in Kabezi, inspiring them to pursue their economic goals and be active participants in their communities
5. Family Support and Recognition
- Josephine acknowledges the support of her husband, who values her contributions to the community; this recognition enhances her confidence and further motivates her to lead and support other women
Conclusion
NIVYONYENE Josephine exemplifies the transformative impact of the UBUMWE Confederation on individual lives and the community as a whole. Her entrepreneurial success, commitment to community solidarity and personal growth underscore the importance of women’s empowerment initiatives. Josephine’s journey reflects how targeted support can lead to sustainable development, increased self-esteem and enhanced decision-making capabilities among women in Kabezi.
3. KANYANA Margueritte – Testimony on Microfinancing; Interviewed by Epithace NDUWAYO
Margueritte KANYANA is a dedicated member of the UBUMWE Association, which has significantly improved her quality of life and provided essential support as a widow. This report outlines the impact of her involvement in the association.
Personal Information
- Name: KANYANA Margueritte
- Age: 56 years
- Status: Widow
- Children: 4
- Association: UBUMWE, initiated by Haley McCready Outreach and Development Fund
- Location: Gaseru Hill, Kabezi Commune
- Support Network
- Margueritte expresses deep gratitude for the emotional and financial support provided by the association; the members have become like family, fostering a strong sense of community and sisterhood
- Access to Loans
- Margueritte expresses deep gratitude for the emotional and financial the association has facilitated access to loans, enabling Margueritte to cover medical expenses for herself and her children; this financial flexibility has been crucial during times of illness
- Asset Acquisition
- Margueritte received a goat from the association, which has proven to be a vital asset; the goat has produced kids and helped her generate income and provided resources for her family
- Improvement in Living Standards
- The income generated from the goat and its offspring has allowed Margueritte to purchase clothing and school materials for her children, ensuring their education and welfare are prioritized
- Additionally, she has used the income to buy manure, enhancing her agricultural productivity
- Personal Growth and Community Impact
- Margueritte is proud to be a member of the UBUMWE Association; her involvement has not only improved her economic situation but also boosted her confidence and decision-making skills
- The support from the association has strengthened her commitment to her community, encouraging her to participate actively in collective efforts to uplift vulnerable families
Conclusion
KANYANA Margueritte’s journey reflects the transformative power of the UBUMWE Association in the lives of its members, particularly for vulnerable women like herself. The support, resources and sense of belonging she has found through the association have been instrumental in enhancing her family’s well-being and her personal development.
To allow us to continue and to grow our agriculture and livestock development productivity and our impact on Burundian lives, please consider donating to the Haley McCready Outreach and Development Fund and, thereby, investing directly into positive impact in increasing self-esteem, alleviating poverty and improving the lives of poor Burundian women and their family members.
Please visit Donations – Haley McCready Outreach and Development Fund that now includes some new instructions on Qualified Charitable IRA Rollover donations.