Help for Women Entrepreneurship with an Ecological Address — Rulenge

Known locally as KISAJAMU (Kikundi cha Sabuni za Jatropha Murugaragara), this project grew out of a small factory that produces soap by hand and grinds grain using a Lister Petter engine fuelled by jatropha seed oil. It is implemented by CMSR-TZ with the Little Brothers of Jesus fraternity and was approved by the Bishop of Rulenge-Ngara in 2023. Implementation officially started on 8 October 2024.

Objectives

Empower rural women and men educationally and economically so that they can engage in entrepreneurship without harming the environment, by establishing functional training infrastructure, providing technical agricultural training on sustainable jatropha cultivation, enhancing economic independence through practical commercial processing training, and strengthening social wellbeing, health, gender and minor rights.

Achievements to date

• Agricultural training — 400 participants (200 women, 200 men) trained on jatropha planting, harvesting, storage and uses.
• Community health education — 500 beneficiaries (330 women, 170 men) reached on maternal health, child health and nutrition.
• Entrepreneurship training — 300 beneficiaries (250 women, 50 men) trained in soap making from jatropha oil and Yagayaga petroleum jelly production.
• Gender and minor rights — 455 beneficiaries (255 women, 200 men) trained, including people with disabilities.
• Agricultural field practice — 650 participants trained in the field.
• Water — a deep water well was drilled, a solar-powered pump and distribution system installed, water stations constructed and a pump house built.
• Infrastructure — classroom and office building, main gate, new fence, warehouse silos, machinery depot, security house, and solar energy system installed in classrooms.
• Equipment — soap production and mould machines, cold press oil machine, oil filter machine and a Fuso truck were purchased.