In a remarkable stride towards youth empowerment, Reaching for Hope Ministries has officially launched its ambitious project, ‘INVEST FOR JESUS.’ This initiative aims to teach young people how to create profitable ventures and secure the necessary funding to bring these projects to life. The project is being conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth and Arts Development (MINIYOUTH).
The launch follows a comprehensive month-long training program for the first batch of participants, consisting of 78 young individuals. These participants received foundational knowledge in project initiation, personal development values, and insights into various aspects of project management and success.
Dr. Ndamyumugabe Phodidas, a member of Reaching for Hope Ministries, explained the mission behind the organization. Reaching for Hope Ministries is dedicated to helping Rwandan youth who are unemployed or have low income to secure better employment opportunities.
“After training them, we are now going to work with them to find funding sources and connect them with supporters. If necessary, they will receive loans, and there is a possibility that the government will support their projects. Our goal is to demonstrate that ‘this path is possible,’” Dr. Phodidas said.
He emphasized that the availability of capital is not an issue, as there are various sources of support, both local and international. “We aim to help young people invest in small businesses that can grow and expand to international markets,” he added.
Dr. Phodidas also highlighted that this is an ongoing initiative, with the current batch being the first to undergo training. He encouraged other young people, especially recent high school and university graduates, to join ‘INVEST FOR JESUS’ through the organization’s website: [https://www.reachingforhope.org/
Habimana Jean Pierre, Youth Development Officer at The Ministry of Youth and Arts Development, noted that the trained youth would be assisted in identifying opportunities and securing capital. “We will help these graduates explore opportunities within the country’s various sectors, such as agriculture and business, and guide them on where to start,” he said.
He added, “We have a system to facilitate their access to capital in partnership with Reaching for Hope Ministries. Currently, the government has decided that any young person seeking a loan for a project from a bank, without other collateral, will be required to provide a guarantee of up to 75%.”
One of the training graduates, Tumukunde Olive, shared that the program broadened her perspective on projects and allowed her to network with successful individuals. She is now prepared to expand her simple project into one that yields tangible benefits.
Reaching for Hope Ministries continues to inspire and empower the next generation of Rwandan entrepreneurs, helping them turn their visions into reality and build a brighter future for themselves and their communities.
