Nyange leaders secure land for tile-making business

PICO-Rwanda has supported the plans and work of the poorest women in Nyange for the past six years. It has been a long journey as they struggle to gain their voice and demand attention from local government authorities. During that time they have learned how to make tiles and are building homes for the poorest in their community, while holding the vision to start a tile-making business to improve their economic opportunities. They gained temporary permission to dig clay from pits owned by others, shape tiles by hand and bake them with an inefficient wood burning oven. What they need is ownership of the clay pits and the land to build an efficient kiln. They found mostly resistance from local government leaders. In December, they gained their voice, forced out old leaders, and elected new local representatives. Immediately following, the Mayor of Muhanga District supported negotiations to secure ownership to the clay pits and land to build a kiln near where they are building their homes and close to the highway, which will help with marketing. The PICO delegation will join Nyange leaders on March 24 to celebrate their victory and express our gratitude to the Chicago Donor Circle that has supported these Nyange women for the past four years. Congratulations Dorsella, Beatrice, and Nyange leaders. Thank you Bill and Colleen Anderson, Denis and Kathy Persyk, and Amy and Richard Lutz.