Creating Opportunity in a Time of Challenge

Since the onset of the pandemic, we’ve been incredibly inspired by young people’s grit and creativity, putting their skills into practice to make their communities safer and healthier in this time of crisis.

Samuel is a secondary school student and Student Business Club President in the Eastern Highlands of Rwanda. When schools closed due to COVID-19, Samuel sought out creative ways to support his community as well as put into practice the skills he’s acquired through the national curriculum reform we supported.

After exploring a variety of different business ideas and products that would be feasible amidst COVID-19 restrictions, Samuel decided to set up his own vegetable gardens — planting mushrooms, onions, and tomatoes to sell to his community. “I have tried multiple projects during this time,” says Samuel. “I have gained success due to my application of skills I learned from the Educate! program while in school… [including] business strategy, marketing, exhibition, and interpersonal and leadership skills.”

Although Samuel has faced quite a few obstacles setting up his business during a global pandemic, he has tackled them head-on by applying grit, creativity, and an entrepreneurial mindset. To obtain land to begin his enterprise, he offered to share his knowledge of farming and agriculture in exchange for the space to set up small-scale gardens on his neighbors’ properties. Seeing his success, a few neighbors have even gone further and entered into partnership with him!

Samuel’s hard work is paying off — he’s now earning an income of about 30,000 RWF (USD $31) a month from his vegetable gardens. He shared that he’s using his revenue to purchase an internet subscription to continue his education through distance learning while schools are closed.

Samuel has found success as a small business owner in a turbulent time, but he isn’t stopping there. He is also focused on giving back to his community and wants to support other youth struggling through the pandemic in his region. Over the last few months, he’s been providing vegetables at reduced prices to families who might have trouble paying full price. “I know it is not much for now,” he shares, “but at least the vegetables are nutritious and can keep the children healthy, especially now that food security is a challenge.” He’s even launched a new community-based initiative called Future of a Child Organization (FCO). Here, he shares the skills he’s learning with other youth, including liquid soap making, mushroom growing, candle making, and more.

As schools begin to reopen, Samuel is looking forward to sharing the hands-on experience he’s acquired during the pandemic with his peers:

“From the experience I have now, I can only envision so much more for myself and other young people, especially for those in the Business Club at school. Starting small with limited resources has taught me patience and discipline of trusting the process. I now appreciate the meaning of this phrase.”

While many things remain uncertain these days, some things remain the same, and that is the tenacity and determination of young people, who continuously inspire us.