Interview with Orphans of Rwanda Interns

Orphans of Rwanda -- an international NGO dedicated to helping orphans receive a university education and become leaders in driving economic development and social reconciliation -- recently published an interview in their newsletter about the ground-breaking partnership with the Indego Africa. Check it out!

ORI Students Thrive in Internship Opportunities

Three ORI students—Yves Ndashimye, Emmanuel Mukomeza and Valens Rutazihana—are currently working as management interns at Indego Africa, an organization that empowers Rwandan women by helping them sell their handmade baskets abroad.

These students, all of whom attend the School of Finance and Banking, have had a significant impact on Indego’s work. Yves and Valens are responsible for conducting weekly management training for the women, and Emmanuel leads computer and accounting workshops. According to Megan O’Connor, Indego’s in-country coordinator, “They are doing a wonderful job working with the women in ourprogram. I have already seen noticeable improvements from their work, most notably in the women’s accounting skills and in the development of a better organizational system.”

Yves at Covanya.

Kimberly Greenberg, ORI’s Development & Communications Associate, spoke with Yves, Emmanuel and Valens about their experiences.

KG: Can you explain how Indego Africa works?

Emmanuel: Indego Africa has several cooperatives around Rwanda and it is free for women to join. Once a woman joins a cooperative, she goes through training and can begin making products like baskets. The women share the profits and use them to pay school fees for their children. Many genocide survivors use their income to help orphans in their communities.

KG: What are your responsibilities at Indego Africa?

Valens: We train women every Thursday, and after each training session, we discuss life issues with the women. For example, if a woman is ill and does not want to go to a hospital because she is afraid, we will encourage her to go to the hospital and take care of herself. We solve problems together. The women are comfortable with us and we use our knowledge to help them.

KG: How have your experiences working with the women affected
your own lives?

Yves: We have gained experience and new skills while helping improve the lives of others. I have especially improved my management skills, and I believe this experience will help me when I apply for jobs after I graduate.

Emmanuel: Also, because we are Rwandese, we have a cultural tradition that makes us want to help others, because we have already become courageous in our own lives. We are motivated because we know that we can achieve what we want in our lives. We want the women to improve the quality of their lives, and we try to teach them that it is better to be united.

Valens: I enjoy working with the women. After finishing my studies, I hope to work with poor people to improve their economic well-being. I would also like to create my own organization.

Emmanuel.

- Ben