Over 130 youth have graduated in business skills in what has been termed as StartUp program by Digital Opportunity Trust(DOT).
The program which is also an advanced business skills program, has been offered in three center in Kiagli equipping micro entrepreneurs, youth and skills.
Early last year, Over 3600 youth and women participants were graduated from the four weeks DOT economic program termed as the ReachUp.
Through 85 trainers/Interns, DOT operates in 23 districts in all the Provinces of Rwanda.
The participants were youth and women cooperatives which run different projects such as agribusiness, handcrafts production and selling, leadership building and social support schemes, etc.
Graduates from Kicukiro, and Gasabo Districts benefited StartUp! Which is one of DOT programs which started operating in Rwanda mid October 2011 as a pilot program to cover Kigali.
StartUp! Also included fresh recruits of University graduates who get trained in Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise owners, as well as aspiring entrepreneurs.
The program also provides skills on how to prepare and manage their businesses better to leverage growth.
Marie Jeane Musabe who came to startUp! with an idea and after one month the idea has been developed into a business plan waiting its implementation.
“StartUp! has not only given me business skills and prepared me as an Enterprenuer, it has made me a visionary person who looks at the big picture of how to materialize my business grow it and improve as a person” she observed
Musabe showcased her business plan which is about processing mushroom into mushroom flour, the business is estimated to cost 21,428,000frw.
Another beneficiary Aimable Mugabo showcased a product from his venture, where he showcased an eco-freindly stove that does not use charcoal, but uses stones for cooking.
The stove is an innovative idea which is environmentally friendly and cost effective as the stones or coal used can take years without changing.
The different partners thanked DOT for this program and promised their support in materializing these ideas.
ENDS
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