You can make real changes in your life

Children & Youth

Nov 2

When Gentile was a child she lost her parents. A loss that turned her world upside down. Forced to leave school because of financial hardship, she struggled to meet basic needs and gradually withdrew from those around her.

Today, the 22-year-old from Rwanda is a confident entrepreneur, running several small businesses and helping vulnerable children in her community. She credits much of that transformation to the opportunities she found through a Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) supported by the Powered by Youth programme, implemented by CARE Norge in partnership with Grieg Foundation.

"When I joined the savings group, everything started to change," she says.

Before joining the VSLA, Gentile had little confidence in herself and no clear path forward in life. She often used the little money she earned to get through the day, leaving nothing aside for savings or investments. The loss of her parents had also left her feeling alone and unsure of what the future might hold.

"When I joined the savings group, everything started to change," she says.

Through the savings group, she gained access not only to loans, but also to encouragement, training and a community of peers.

For the first time, she was able to plan for the future.

Gentile took a small loan and invested in buying and selling avocados. After making a profit and repaying the loan, she borrowed again, this time purchasing fabric for a tailoring business. Later, she invested in sorghum, a crop widely used to make traditional porridge and local beverages.

Today, tailoring is her main source of income, while her sorghum business provides additional earnings. She currently manages around 100 kilograms of sorghum and estimates that it generates a weekly profit of approximately 15,000 Rwandan francs. She also saves regularly through her VSLA, strengthening her financial security, and creating opportunities for future business growth.

The impact of Gentiles entrepreneurial spirit extends beyond her own household.

With the income she earns, Gentile helps vulnerable children in her neighborhood by providing schoolbooks and pencils. Having experienced hardship herself, she is determined to support others whenever she can.

Looking ahead, her ambitions continue to grow. She wants to expand her sorghum business, invest in higher-quality fabrics and eventually purchase a specialized sewing machine that would help her reach new customers and increase her income. She also dreams of continuing her education, learning a foreign language and saving together with her sister to buy a home of their own one day.

Her message to other young people is simple:

"Join a savings group. Save, borrow, invest and keep moving forward. You can make real changes in your life."

Gentile's story shows how access to financial services, skills and community support can help young people move beyond survival and towards opportunity. Through Powered by Youth, CARE Norge and Grieg Foundation are helping young people like Gentile build sustainable livelihoods, restore their confidence and create positive change for themselves and others.