Stepping Into the Future: Youth in the Community Peace Club are changing their lives through fruit farming
Together they are stronger. Young men and women from the Muhanga and Kamonyi Districts have come together to form the Youth Community Peace Club. These clubs help young people in rural areas plant seeds of peace, earn a living from the agricultural project, and establish prospects for the future in rural areas.
One of the peace clubs is the Umucyo (light) Community Peace Club based in Muhanga district of Southern Rwanda and made up of about 40 members. A few local elders (both genocide survivors and perpetrators) work alongside and share experiences with young Rwandans born after the genocide.
All Peace Club members have participated in the Peace Conversation Cycle (PCC) a project implemented by CARSA in 2022 where genocide survivors, perpetrators, and rescuers (Abarinzi b’Igihango) gather on a cycle to discuss and learn about Rwanda's tragic history. These conversations were crucial to showing young people how they must take the lead toward sustainable peace and development. Since its inception, the club has met every Tuesday.
“Those CARSA conversations became catalysts,” said Adolphe Mutimutuje, a representative of Umucyo Club, reaffirming the group’s immense heart for PCC teachings, working for social assistance, and pursuing collaborative income generating activities.
“Before joining PCC, every one of us had a burning wish to help society toward healing and transformative journey but we did not have any idea of how we can do it. With CARSA, we were able to come together to work on peacebuilding actions and a club was formed.”
Talk of peace was not enough, however. A significant percentage of those in the club had no occupation or income-generating activity. Ever since, the group has had an extra, more holistic mission of helping its people – especially youth – escape from poverty. They found that fruit farming is the best way to help the community manage the cost of living and attain financial freedom.
“Today, we’re harvesting the second batches, collected over $500 from selling fruits, and bought 2 cows to produce milk and surplus manure for our farm. We’re expanding our activities to the big landform that was handed by the government. We have hope for the future now,” He reported.
After their success in agriculture, the club also began a small business of shoe making and repair. So far, two members, one boy, and a young lady have been trained in shoe-making technology, and are working in the shop. Despite having limited funds and shoe-making materials such as adequate machines and leather, the club is creating subsidiary income to support the club in the future. Currently, they are capable of making at least 50 pairs of shoes per week and one pair of women's shoes sold at $5 while they invest $3 in production.
We’re so proud of how these young boys and girls are allocating their time and energy to personal growth, community transformation, and sustainable peace. This young generation can create significant growth and change, especially when they are well-equipped and empowered. The peace club gives us robust hope that the future of the country is in the right hands.
Club member met to prepare a piece of land where they look forward to expand their activities.
CARSA Team visit the club’s fruits landform.
