HANDS OF MOTHERS formerly MANOS de MADRES

2023 UPDATE--YEP: Youth Empowerment Program to equip recent high school graduates with professional and life skills. Goals are to enhance their employability and transform them into future peer trainers. Generously funded by the US Embassy in collaboration with the US nonprofit Photo Start--ELEP: English Language Enrichment Program designed to elevate English skills among students in our program and enhance their overall academic performance.--SEX EDUCATION-Conducted a 2-day Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights training program for all summer school students in conjunction with the Rwandan nonprofit GROWN TO HELP. Intergration of sex education in the summer school program to prevent early pregnancies and provide crucial knowledge on sexual and reproductive health.--BOARDING PROGRAM-47 high risk teen children of sex workers attended boarding high school. This fully funded initiative aims to protect them from the trauma, and physical and sexual abuse commonly faced in their mother's line of work.--LIBRARY-Grew from 250 TO 600 books- This free resource serves as a crucial tool to strengthen English language skills among our students.--ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTSLG-Savings and Lending Group initiative increased to 5, with 143 women actively saving and extending/repaying loans to each other as a first step in finding safe and legal alternatives to sex work. Weekly financial literacy and entrepreneurship training was provided to the women in the SLGs 2022 UPDATE-Children's Education Initiative-Funded 160 children with school fees, lunch, uniforms, books, and school supplies who otherwise would not have access to this lifechanging opportunity.2021 UPDATESupport for all Programs and inititives and Emergency Relief continued.HOM**Education Initiative-----The program grew to 156 children in 2020.**Emergency Relief -----Covid-19 Hunger Relief program- assisted 156 families-----84 Solar radios were distributed for access to government broadcast of school lessons during Covid-19 lockdowns.2019 UPDATEHOM**Education Initiative-----School Fees for children of the women in our programs.The program stated in fall of 2018. The program grew to 151 students in 2019 and added boys. Tuition is paid on a trimester basis directly to school. We provide uniforms, books, backpacks, school supplies, and sanitary pads.-----Literacy training for women in the Sex Workers Group. Includes monthly tuition, books, supplies, and transportation. Length of program i 12 to 18 months, 3 afternoons per week. The program doubled in size from 5 to 10 women.** Sex Work to Safe Work Intiative: Creation of legal, safe income generation alternativees to prostitution for the women in the WE-ACTx Sex Workers Support Groups.-----Program grew from 83 in 2018 to 105 -4 groups of women who meet with Hands of Mothers once per month. HOM managed Savings and Lening Groups. New Times Article.**Continuation of existing technical support programs to 2 remaining cooperatives-INEZA Textile Cooperative and Twiyubake Sandal Cooperative.2018 UPDATEHOM**New-Sex Work to Safe Work Initiative Funded-Identified legal and safe income alternatives to prostitution for 83 women; and Implemented 3 savings & Lending groups amoong these women focusing on financial literacy, entrepreneurship and group lending.**New-Education Initiative Funded- School fees for 52 girls as school in Rwanda is not free and girls from vulnerable familes are disproportionately impacted. -Tuition paid on a trimester basis directly to school -Provision of uniforms, books, supplies, and sanitary pads Literacy training for women in the Sex Workers Group -Includes monthly tuition, books, supplies, and transportation.HOM continued to provide technical support to 126 women in the existing programs. Assistance to 4 cooperatives to adapt to market changes and escalating costs of materials etc. -New Product Development -Marketing -Applications for Grants Assistance to entrepreneurs - women who have received micro-loans------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2017 UPDATE - HOM **Funded vocational training and internships for 3 young women; 2 in tailoring and 1 in cosmetology**Baho Agricultural Assoc-HOM started a new chicken/egg farm to replace the organic garden displaced by urban development**All COOPERATIVES-HOM improved self management; Expanded product lines; Improved production techniques and product quality; Increased distribution and market penetration**HOM Increased independence and business management capacity of supported enterprises**HOM expanded the entrepreneurship training and micro-lending program to include 2 women in the WE-ACTx social Assistance Service------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2016 UPDATEHOM added a peace Corps Response Volunteer position in Rwanda to assist in staff and cooperative capacity building and development of strategic partnerships in RwandaEjo Hazaza started a Mushroom Pilot. Demonstrated a demand for mushrooms. The challenge now is to meet that demand.They also received their official government Certification with assistance from HOMThe Twyubake Sandal Cooperative was awarded two grants to support work - US Embassy and Peace Corps. They also received their official government Certification with assistance from HOMBaho Agricultural Association Update- Land for farming was lost in March. HOM raised $6000 for a new plot of land which is still being located. Therefore, A suitable space was identified and training has begun for RAISING CHICKENS! They will begin with 50 chickens.Young Mothers Group-HOM extended 3 new microloans and funded a vocational training program for 1 member in cosmetology.With assistance from HOM, all cooperatives are now Officially Registered with the government. BAHO GARDENS is not large enough to be a cooperative and is therefore an association. Hands of Mothers (HOM) continued assistance in all previous Cooperatives as 2015.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------DURING 2015, Hands of Mothers (HOM) assisted the following Cooperatives in RwandaINEZA Sewing- Assisted 27 individuals: Expanded product line and marketing opportunites, Increased self-sufficiencyEJO HAZAZA Jewelry-Assisted 25 individuals: Expanded product line and marketing opportunities, developed and maintained a successful savings and lending program, Increased self-sufficiency, Began process of cooperative registration.BAHO Gardens- Assisted 19 individuals- Developed a year-round productive garden, Expanded customer base, developed and maintained a successful savings and lending program, Increased self-sufficiency and Began process of cooperative registration.DUTETE Screen Printing T-Shirts-Assisted 16 individuals-Performed a detailed market analysis to determine viability of this cooperative; worked on increasing quality and profitability through better purchasing; Training members in financial management. Expanded customer base and product line, improved production skills, Began process of cooperative registration.NEW FOR 2015-TWIYUBAKE SANDAL GROUP-assisted 15 individuals-Expanded customer base and product line, improved production skills, increased self-sufficiency and Began process of formation as a registered cooperative.YMG-Young Mothers Group-Assisted 31 young mothers-Provide training to start or expand micro-businesses.In 2013 MANOS de MADRES expanded the BAHO Cooperative garden size, diversity of crops and production. Vegetables, fruit and herbs are grown for improved nutrition for this vulnerable population.IN 2014 BAHO WAS REWARDED AN INCREASED LAND GRANT FROM THE GOVERNMENT. MANOS de MADRES provided a GRANT to purchase additional tools, drip irrigation equipment, natural fertilizer and seeds.MANOS de MADRES hired the services of a local organic gardener to provide weekly assistance. THE JAPANESE EMBASSY FUNDED A FENCE AROUND THE GARDEN TO PROTECT AGAINST THEFT. BAHO NOW SELLS VEGETABLE AND HERBS AT THEIR GARDEN, THE WE-ACTx OFFICES AND THE US EMBASSY ON FRIDAY MARKET.MANOS de MADRES expanded the Dutet Printing Cooperative from 2 to 20 members. Secured an Ambassador Self-Help Grant that provided funds to acquire the equipment and training neccessary to launch their advertising and promotion printing business.