Initiating VSLAs for Youth Economic Empowerment in Bugesera District, Eastern Rwanda

Niyitulinda, Etienne (2018) Initiating VSLAs for Youth Economic Empowerment in Bugesera District, Eastern Rwanda. Masters thesis, The Open University of Tanzania.

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Abstract

The study was carried out in Mareba Sector of Bugesera District, Eastern Rwanda with the aim of initiating VSLAs for youth economic empowerment. Community needs assessment took one month and Focused Group Discussion method was used to ensure community and other stakeholders’ participation. Primary and secondary data were gathered and helped to realize the specific objectives and answer the three research questions. The CNA findings and the needs pair wise ranking as well as the reviewed literatures revealed that effective entrepreneurship and business development is considered as one of the key strategies for creation of off-farm jobs and initiating VSLAs for youth was found to undoubtedly boost their economic empowerment in a sustainable perspective. The implementation of project was carried out following five objectives including VSLAs starting up, VSALs groups formation, starting saving and loans disbursement, entrepreneurship skills development and linking successful VSLAs groups to formal Financial Institutions. Initially, 157 shares were purchased at 39,250RWF, saving and social fund contribution included. One share was purchased at 200 RWF for saving and 50 RWF for social fund. After training members on VSLAs scheme, they started to apply for loans so as to start investing in agriculture, bee keeping, MTN and TIGO cash, petty business, etc. Up to the end of November 2016, at the midway evaluation a total of 1,884 shares were purchased at 471000 RWF, saving and social fund contribution included and a total of 132,000 RWF of loans were requested and provided. At all stages of the project, institutional, financial as well as political sustainability was ensured so that this project would maintain functioning, supported by its own resources, even when the external sources of funding have ended.

Item Type: Thesis (Masters)
Subjects: 300 Social Sciences > 330 Economics
Divisions: Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences > Centre for Economics and Community Economic Development
Depositing User: Mr Habibu Kazimzuri
Date Deposited: 03 Oct 2018 17:21
Last Modified: 03 Oct 2018 17:21
URI: http://repository.out.ac.tz/id/eprint/2054

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