Rwanda: DOT supports Rwandan women entrepreneur

Digital Opportunity Trust (DOT)—an international organisation founded by Janet Longmore, who is a Canadian national has been supporting many youth and women through Rwanda offices across the country.

The Rwanda DOT initiative considers those from remote areas, who are not well informed about different livelihood opportunities around them given their daily responsibilities at home.

Here are some inspiring stories of women benefitting from DOT through who ReachUp! program at Gakenke BDC, Northern province of Rwanda, this January 2013,

 

Eugenie was a ReachUp! participant. After training she endeavored to find employment to sustain her life and her family. Finally she got a job in MTN as an agent of MTN Mobile Money. The technology skills she gained under the ReachUp! program gave her confidence and ability to step up for the job. She is thankful for this great opportunity.

Epiphanie, through the opportunity to participate in the ReachUp! program significantly gained confidence. She set out to look for opportunities around her. When an opportunity arose at the Business Development Centre for an administrative assistant, she applied. She obtained the job successfully.

After having graduated from the ReachUp! program, Leoncie has been able to identify her passion and strengths. Today Leoncie owns a hairdressing salon business.  She wishes to get further training to help her advance her business.

Rwanda- The ReachUp! Program is empowering Rwandan youth and women with ICT, business and livelihood skills. Even those ones who are more knowledgeable are interested in the program given the way it is designed allowing participants enough time to apply what they are learning.

As for me, I have been empowered to change myself and diverse community members who have been approaching me looking for help. DOT programs have challenged me to ‘preach what I practice”! I started a pig-rearing project, which has enabled me to increase my monthly income.

DOT Rwanda delivers training programs that equip young people and entrepreneurs with 21st century workforce readiness and technology skills.

DOT Rwanda’s programs are delivered and facilitated by young new graduates from Rwandan universities (“DOT Interns”) who act as trainers, mentors, and coaches in their communities.

Established in Canada in 2002, Digital Opportunity Trust (DOT) is an innovator in enabling people to access and apply information and communications technologies (ICT) to create education, economic, and entrepreneurial opportunities.

DOT’s vision is to make these opportunities available to marginalized people – especially women and youth – as a strategy to eradicate poverty, vulnerability, and gender inequality.

DOT’s signature entrepreneurship program, ReachUp!, integrates ICT, life skills, and micro-enterprise development, facilitating the entry of young women and men into the workforce, frequently as creators of their own businesses.

DOT transforms young people to become leaders of economic and education change in their societies.

It also launched a Women’s Platform for young women to network online and access gender specific resources.

The ReachUp through each DOT Intern impacts the lives of 100 community members. It has so far empowered over 9,000 community participants with business and technology skills.

Since its inception in 2012,  DOT Rwanda has 79 Interns facilitating programs in all provinces.