Social Impact: Artisan Partners Making Enormous Strides

Indego Africa constantly hears from artisans who are happy not only because they are making more money since they became its partners, but because they are creating better futures for themselves and their families. Through publication of the annual Social Impact Report, Indego Africa’s corporate partners and supporters hear those stories too.

The women who participate in Indego Africa's business and English literacy training courses are not only earning higher wages--they are becoming powerful entrepreneurial role models for young Rwandans.

Indego Africa knows that regular assessments of its impact in Rwanda are critical to ensuring the long-term effectiveness of its programs. With this in mind, Indego Africa’s Rwanda team has conducted a comprehensive survey of its artisan partners every March since 2008. Instead of just asking how much money is changing hands and how high the headcounts are, Indego Africa meticulously surveys a wide range of quantitative and qualitative lifestyle indicators. Beyond understanding the women’s environment, the goal is to shed light on the organization’s most fundamental questions:  

• What is the nature of the change Indego Africa is promulgating?  
• Will the changes continue beyond its presence?   
• How many people does Indego Africa affect? 
• Is there a discernible shift in policy, for example, the number of women who own businesses rather than work for others?

The results in 2011 were overwhelming. At Covanya 75% of artisans reported being able to manage money, compared with 0% in 2009. The number of women in Cocoki who reported that they were “satisfied” to “very satisfied” with their quality of life has seen an 82% increase since 2008; and in those four short years the number of women who could speak English rose from 0% to 61% percent.

The bits of information artisans share about their daily lives are snapshots. Over time, the snapshots show trends reflecting sustainable economic growth. This is what real change looks like.

You can find the full 2011 Social Impact Report here. 

Please help us continue to make a difference in these women's lives in 2012 by making a contribution.