Foundation Board Meet with Paul Kagame in Rwanda

During a recent visit to Kigali in Rwanda, members of the Foundation’s Board of Directors had the opportunity to see our work on the ground. They met with President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, visited nine partners and engaged with clients who have been affected by our programs.

When speaking with our Board of Directors, President Kagame expressed gratitude for the Foundation’s work in Rwanda which has reached nearly one million people. The meeting focused on the government’s priorities and where The MasterCard Foundation can help lay the foundation for Rwanda’s future.

These discussions were further aided by insight gained from two days of site visits with partner organizations and clients. Foundation staff and the Board of Directors saw first-hand the impact of our partnerships in the country and were deeply moved by the challenges and successes of the people we are serving.

Youth trained as biogas technicians told us about the technical and skills training they have received through Opportunities for Youth Employment, a project in partnership with the SNV Netherlands Development Organisation. They explained that the financial literacy training, for example, has instilled confidence in them, and many aspire to build homes for themselves with the money they’ve saved. One of the technicians has opened his own business selling clothing, and another is saving to pursue higher education.

Others received sales training and field experience for home installations of solar products. During a mini-exhibition of their solar products, they described what they have done with the money they’ve earned, and talked about their increased self-esteem. Sales and marketing training showed one youth what he was capable of, and taught another how to connect with her customers. Other young people have been able to save enough money to start small businesses for supplementary income and have put siblings through school.

The Foundation and the Board were honoured and humbled to have met those whose lives have been transformed as a result of our partnerships in Rwanda.

Our visit was insightful and informative. We are excited about our future collaboration with our partners and the government of Rwanda to make a sustainable and measurable impact.