ASPIRE RWANDA: July 2012

Monday, July 23, 2012

Aspire changed Umulisa’s life - The Sunday Times

Having been in marriage for over ten years, Franswazi Umulisa, did not have any economic contribution to her family`s welfare or development. She could only get involved in housework, take care of the children and wait for the husband to bring bread home.

The CEO and Founder of Aspire, Peace Ruzage in her office. The Sunday Times / Grace Mugoya
“It was not that I was a lazy wife or one who is not interested in work, but it was about what exactly to do since I had no skills in any field of work,” Umulisa narrated.

The mother of five added that acquiring skills of life would have been the only thing that would have helped her, but that she had not also got the chance for any such training.
Read more at
Aspire changed Umulisa’s life - The Sunday Times

BASIC INFORMATION

BACKGROUND OF ASPIRE RWANDA
Aspire was founded in 2007 by Peace Ruzage, after she observed women in her Kigali neighborhood arguing amongst themselves. she discovered that the women were idle, whilst others were engaged in hawking (illegally selling items on the street). Poverty had forced some of the women into prostitution and illegal trading; many were suffering from HIV/AIDs, and were victims of domestic and sexual violence, substance abuse, and violence during the war and Genocide. Rooted in her commitment to human dignity, equality and a peaceful future, she has successfully brought together the women -regardless of their background - to be educated, trained, work and to socialise, thereby promoting cooperation, friendship and reconciliation.

VISION
Helps Rwandese women rebuild their lives in the wake of the genocide, war and poverty that have shattered their country. Equips women with the knowledge, skills, esteem, friendship and confidence to become self-sufficient, improving their families’ standard of living. Facilitates women to make their own choices, by working together, and taking control of their future.
MISSION
Helps Rwandese women rebuild their lives in the wake of the genocide, war and poverty that have shattered their country. Equips women with the knowledge, skills, esteem, friendship and confidence to become self-sufficient, improving their families’ standard of living. Facilitates women to make their own choices, by working together, and taking control of their future.
BENEFICIARIES
ASPIRE is a Rwandan NGO dedicated to equipping vulnerable and impoverished women with the knowledge, skills, esteem and mutual support networks to lift themselves and their communities out of poverty. Just as Rwanda is a beacon of hope for sustainable development and good governance in Sub-Saharan Africa, so ASPIRE RWANDA empowers its women with holistic training and support. Each year Aspire enrolls 50 vulnerable women into a year-long course. Following their training, graduates form strong networks of friendship and support, mentoring each other in life-skills, and starting sustainable economic activities together. Women organize themselves into cooperatives and micro enterprises through which Aspire can continue to provide support after the women complete their training. Aspire exists to give resilient, hard-working women the skills and the confidence to make their own choices and take control of their future.
CONTACT
ASPIRE RWANDA
PO.BOX: 3012
City: Kigali
Country: Rwanda
Telephone: (+250)722859264 & (+250)788876803
E-mail : aspirerwanda@gmail.com
Location of ASPIRE office
To get to the Aspire office in Gisozi, take the main road past the Genocide Memorial Centre and continue up the hill for 500 metres. Turn right and a small Aspire signpost marks the way down a dirt road. 500m along the dirt road you will come to the Aspire office on the left hand side. There is a signpost marking the office.

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Monday, July 23, 2012

Aspire changed Umulisa’s life - The Sunday Times