“In Our Words”
Yvonne, Social Impact Program Manager
“Being a women-centered organization, I’m proud of the steps The Women’s Bakery has taken to provide support that improves women’s daily lives and futures. An example of a donor-funded achievement that has had great impact is the baby house at the Gicumbi bakery. We are now able to provide safe, on-site childcare, which has improved the women’s stress levels and their ability to work, especially those with young babies and children.
Medical insurance is expensive in Rwanda, and many families don’t have it. Prior to gaining health insurance through The Women’s Bakery, our women say they often chose to not seek medical treatment for themselves and their children when they needed it. Now they know they can go to the medical clinic and get care.
Simply having a steady income has opened many doors for our women. It’s huge. They are more valued in their community and within their families. Before steady employment, people in the com munity would say of women, she cannot do anything. But now people see that women earn salaries, can aff ord to send their children to school, and get loans during the month because they can now pay them off at the end of the month.
A strong woman baker, Rose, is responsible for everything at home. She has five children and a husband. She pays for rent, food, school fees, and clothing. She says, ‘Even though I have a lot of challenges, each month I save some money so I can someday buy land and a home for my family.’
Rose has demonstrated huge potential to grow within The Women’s Bakery. She has become very good at math and at help ing to manage inventory. The other bakers call her “the Mother of Inventory.” If TWB can continue to grow, women like Rose will continue to thrive and provide for their families.”
