By Lauren Eads | Director of Development
After 8 months of training and mentorship through The Accelerate Academy, the first class of Accelerate Fellows gathered together for a full day of training and celebration. 12 of the top Fellows presented their businesses to a panel of international investors for the Pitch Finale, and 11 of them secured investments! These entrepreneurs have businesses ranging from chicken farming, to clean water delivery, to mobile phone bus ticket apps.
Beyond the loans that will drastically elevate these businesses, the relationships with their new partners will grow the Accelerate Fellows in ways that show them they have potential; they were meant to be leaders; they are part of Rwanda's rising economy.
A star from our finale was our youngest fellow, Yvette, who recently started the IRIBA water project. Her water project ‘IRIBA water’ which locally translates into ‘a clean water source’ aims at providing clean water solutions to people living in rural areas of Rwanda.
When Yvette’s family relocated to the small community of Kayonza, she realized that access to water was a true challenge for many people. Not only were water sources miles away, but even the cost of water was unattainable for many.
“Twenty liters would cost Rwf500 or even higher. That made me think a lot about finding solutions to this problem. Water was already available from the sources such as springs and lakes but I made more research on making it both safe and affordable for people,” she explains.
IRIBA Water Project collects water, treats it with a UV purifier, and distributes it to households throughout Kayonza using bicycles. Currently Yvette supplies safe and clean water to 100 households on a daily basis, but with this new investment she plans to expand operations to serve at least 300,000 homes each day.
Thanks to your support and your investment in the Accelerate Academy Rwanda’s infrastructure and economy are changing from the ground up. Community needs are being met, individuals are gaining employment, and young people are empowered to fulfill their dreams of running a business.
By Lauren Eads | Director of Development
By Taylor Smith | Community Engagement Advocate
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