Despite the hardships, Kanyeshuri was determined to build a better life. Upon arrival at the camp, he quickly embraced entrepreneurship as a means of survival, seizing the opportunities Rwanda provides to both citizens and foreigners alike.
'This is not home for me, but one of the things that motivated me to start working here was seeing that Rwanda gives foreigners the chance to work. I started with 100,000 Frw and began offering Mobile Money services,' Kanyeshuri says.
In addition to providing mobile money services, he was selected to participate in a project designed to empower refugees and local Rwandans living near refugee camps. This initiative offered training on managing profitable projects, with each family receiving a grant of 800,000 Frw, which did not require repayment.
'I was one of the fortunate ones who received that grant in 2023. I used the money and added to it the little I had saved, making it a total of 1Million francs,' he recalls.
He decided to invest in poultry farming after recognizing the challenges that refugees and those living near the camp faced in obtaining eggs. Previously, they had to travel to Kibungo to source eggs, thus creating an opportunity for Kanyeshuri.
With the loan, he purchased 1,500 chicks, and after five months of careful nurturing, the birds began to lay eggs. The current egg production rate stands at 80%, meaning that from 1,000 birds, there are 820 eggs produced daily. Each egg is sold for 145 Frw, and he has a steady market for his products.
Today, Kanyeshuri employs five full-time staff, three of whom are refugees, while the other two are Rwandans. 'The poultry farm has provided additional income, including fertilizers, which we collect every two weeks. I have buyers who come and pack it, and they pay me,' he proudly says.
Beyond his poultry business, Kanyeshuri has also ventured into farming, and the combined value of his various projects now exceeds 10 million Frw. 'This business has grown because each bird is worth over 10,000 Frw. So overall, I've surpassed that 10 million mark,' he explains.
The project aimed at empowering refugees and local Rwandans living near refugee camps started in 2022, and it has already reached 1,613 families. Among them, 1,129 refugee families (70%) have received support, while 484 Rwandan families (30%) from neighboring communities have also benefited. The project has a budget of 2.4 million USD, which is intended to be used over a period of three years.
The supported families are involved in various types of businesses, including agriculture, livestock farming, and commerce. Furthermore, they are linked to financial institutions to access further funding to grow their businesses.
Innocent Habimana, a local resident living near the camp, is another beneficiary of the program. He runs a business selling agricultural inputs and fertilizers, a field in which he had prior knowledge and passion.
After investing 700,000 Frw into his business, Habimana's venture is now valued at 3Million Frw. 'I have employees that work with me during the planting season, and I pay them for their work,' he says.
This transformative project, funded by Denmark and implemented by UNHCR and Caritas Rwanda, is expected to continue until December 2024, with an extension for Sudanese refugees until the end of 2025. The project operates in Mahama refugee camp, located in Kirehe District, and Kiziba refugee camp in Karongi District.
For Kanyeshuri and others like him, these initiatives represent much more than financial support. They symbolize a path to self-reliance, a way to rebuild their lives with dignity and hope for the future.
As he reflects on his journey, Kanyeshuri expresses his deep appreciation for the support of the Rwandan government.
'Looking at the opportunities we have here, it's extraordinary. Rwanda provides for everyone and ensures our safety. I work outside the camp now, and no one challenges my right to do so. I'm truly blessed compared to many others in the refugee camps,' he says.
IGIHE
