Rwanda: youth cooperative prevents conflicts

Prosper Irankunda, Head of ‘Hope of Future’.

Members in “Hope of Future” cooperative have revealed how they have stopped conflicts in Burera district and are also invited in talks organised by the local leadership.

Hope of future cooperative that has 18 members between 18 and 35 years of age started in October 2010 with the purpose of fighting stopping conflicts and promote unity and reconciliation.

This is achieved through organising talks for children in schools and to residents through poems, songs and plays as Irankunda asserts.

“Conflicts in this area are based on lands, men marrying more than one wife, family hatred and others.

We ourselves got enough training so that we sensitise others on conflict prevention,” explains Irankunda

The cooperative is supported by USAID (International Research Exchange Board) that provided them with books and informative requirements plus money for facilitating them while holding talks in different areas.

Most of the members being students, being in this cooperative made them realise their importance to the nation of Rwanda.

At school, students as well face conflicts, says Rodriguez Mwiseneza, aged 18 and the youngest member in this cooperative.

Mwiseneza stresses that at first he did not clearly understand what it was but now has gained experience. “I can now reconcile people using my knowledge without fear.”

Patience, a member emphasises the importance of the Hope of the Future whereby she says she gained confidence and can now talk in public even in the presence of dignitaries like ministers.

However, they face the problem of some of their members who are money minded and cannot be in a non profitable cooperative without trainings and study tours.

As a way of starting a saving culture, Hope of Future has started growing carrots and is rearing pigs.