"Health is Wealth" Rwanda

Hi my name is Jane and I had a dream come true. I always longed since being a young child to go to Africa to help those who are vulnerable and in need of support.
When friends asked me if I would like to go and follow up a business project in Kigali, Rwanda, I really couldn't believe they were asking me.
In February 2017 me and 3 other women went to Rwanda to support this project. It is a truelly beautiful place with amazing warm hearted people. Our short stay there captured part of our hearts.


Rwanda
The people have come a long way since Rwanda went through an  ethnic genocide that took place some 23 years ago. Today it is a nation being restored and healed. The small community we encountered were learning to forgive and trust. There is tribal unity, political stability and a promising future.
Today it is rebuilding it’s economy with coffee and tea production among it’s main exports.
Tourism is also a key contributor to the economy with safari’s through bamboo forests in the shadow of the Virunga Volcanoes tracking rare mountain gorilla's.
The Business
In September 2015 Edward Hunt a semi retired Company Director of a Health Food Company and his wife Dr Judith Hunt, a retired GP went out to visit a small community group on the edge of Kigali. Their aim was to assess the viability of and develop a project which was being piloted by a small community group.
The aim of the project was not only to generate sustainable increase but to create an increased sense of social cohesion.


Flour Making Business Erika, a mother of 6, buys corn, winnows it, grinds it then treats it in a special way before packing and selling it.

Erika trying out a small peanut butter maker!

The business is called  “Health is Wealth Ltd.”
They have their own special recipe for the flour and it’s a good quality. The first week we concentrated on seeing all aspects of the business in operation. The production of flour which is more like a porridge; enriched with added proteins and vitamins is excellent when food is short.
It is a great project but because of lack of resources e.g. very little machinery or equipment the production is very slow and irregular.
To gain a good reputation high standards are required and to obtain recognition, compliance to government regulations is needed. To meet all requirements can be costly but necessary.  


My job was to teach some staff members and volunteers a basic account system for the business. I learnt myself just before arriving!!! Johannah (a team member) was a great support and the 5 students were very eager to learn. We spent one in depth teaching session explaining spread sheets and basic business skills. Then we spent several days doing one to one tuition. All the students did well and we gave them "Certificates of Achievements". By the end of our stay Longin had confidently learnt the accounts system and 
became the accounting "Champion" and has all the records upto date.


New Developements
Two plots of fertile land have been purchased with a small house and cow stalls on.


They would now like to grow their own corn to make the flour and sell fresh produce. There is also a cow which has calved and produces milk.


Baby Porridge is being introduced onto the sales market by the end of this year. In March the company registered its brand name "Toha" which means freshness. They aim to meet government requirements by the end 2018 to enable them to meet Rwanda high standards.

Our Aims and Goals..................... 
Health is Wealth Ltd. Flour Business

¨ To help continue to improve the accounting system for the business and I.T. skills.
¨ To develop the marketing strategy and promotion of the business in local areas.
" To purchase or rent a Production Unit near a local flour mill.
" To buy new stainless steel machinery and equipment.
¨ To relocate the shop and possibly get another with a larger product range.
¨ To provide additional tools and equipment for growing crops.
" To look at the cost of installing a waterhole on the farm land.
" To increase the cow herd. 

Secondary Children Project........
The government is making it mandatory for all secondary children to have personnal laptops. We were asked if we could provide 6 secondary children in this small community each a laptop.
I am glad to say these were donated and we took them out with us in February 2017.

The team enjoyed the hard work on the project and felt that the trip was very valuable. We were amazed how all our skills worked together to inspire and help those working and volunteering on the project.
We also had a lot of fun teaching cake making and crochet to some local ladies as well as experiencing the local market and some beautiful places. The friendly welcome also helped us build friendships.
 
My Experiences................................I grew up in the midlands and always wanted to help others. I especially wanted to work with young children and give them a loving start in life. This was a great experience and over time also worked with people both young, disabled and with special needs.
I have  worked in retail management for quite a number of years so I will use these skills to help develope these projects.

The other 3 women who came with me on this trip had expertise which helped make these projects a success.

Prisca from Switzerland brings a wealth of experience in social and medical care.
Johannah from Kettering manages the packing team in a not for profit enterprise which serves a national food wholesale business.
 Becky is from Norwich and works in retail. Becky wants to use her entrepreneur marketing skills to help others.
Left to right; Johannah, Prisca, Becky & Jane.

We went in February 2017 and plan to return in February 2018 

I would be most grateful to recieve any donations to help make this business project and any other potential ones sustainable to enable the community group to thrive.
If you have taken time to read this I would like to say a big thank you for considering our needs and helping Rwanda's next generation fulfill their dreams.