19-year-old Beatra, president of her tailoring
association, looks over the group's accounts. She was best
in her class at accounting. |
In Gitarama, the head of a tailoring business is 19-year-old Beatra, who is also
president of an association of tailors. Eighteen graduated in her Giving Hope
vocational training class; nine set up a shop in town and nine rent a space
in the market. They share a common bank account and make daily deposits.
Beatra shows off her bookkeeping. After paying their rents, they share their profits, which go toward siblings’ school needs, their crops, and food. The shop features about twelve wedding gowns for rent, which is an additional income. They have recently acquired contracts with two schools to make uniforms, which will provide steady income. The Giving Hope program provided for their start-up four months’ rent and two sewing machines. They have paid back the rent and are working on buying the machines.