For many years most families in Karongi depended on livestock for income. but the work was not stable and was often uncertain. Unfortunately, MUREKATETE Odette, a local farmer in Mutuntu Sector (now 55), is an example of how transformation can happen.
"I went through a lot of bad times; I could barely afford to feed my family or even buy the things we needed to live. I wasn't sure how I was going to provide for them," stated Odette.
Once Odette learned how to manage a chicken farming business and had the knowledge and resources she needed to do so, Odette was able to produce 10 chickens within 4 months and paid her first salary of 120,000 Rwandese Francs on her first day of sale!
Odette reinvested her earnings instead of excessively spending them. Starting with an initial purchase of 100 chickens, she gradually built her flock up to 200 engaged in raising poultry. Along the way, she lost 100 chickens at one point and faced many other hurdles; nonetheless, she continued to adapt, learn and persevere through them all.
Now Odette has successfully developed a large, profitable flock, added a goat to her family, and begun to grow crops for her family as well, giving her both an income and food security for herself and her household. Her next goal is to increase the size of her poultry operation up to 1,000 chickens. This is proof that starting small can lead to sustainable employment.
The increasing supply of livestock in the modern marketplace in Rubengera Sector has helped Odette achieves her goals. “Before the market was opened, selling chickens was risky, unorganized and stressful. PRISM gave me access to both the market and the skills I needed to expand my business,” she said.
Odette provides a great example of someone who demonstrates the qualities of being both resilient and having opportunity in life through her story of fully utilizing her training, resources/assets and having access to functional markets. As a result, she has developed not just a business of her own but also a means of providing a state of stable living, dignity, and hope for her family.
Written By Jean Bernard MUKUNDENTE