Aguka (Growth and Progress)
The Aguka Parent Empowerment Program is one of Shine Again Initiative’s core pillars, alongside the Kura Neza Child Program. It was established to address the pressing realities faced by underprivileged families particularly women and single mothers who struggle to provide basic needs such as food, shelter, medicine, and education for their children. Many of these families also face conflicts, separations, and mental health challenges that negatively affect both parental well-being and children’s growth.
Objectives:
The program empowers parents through financial literacy and leadership skills, promotes family well-being through psychosocial support and community bonding, and strengthens children’s school retention, hygiene, and confidence for a brighter future.
Key Activities:
Small Saving Groups:
Parents save regularly in groups to build resilience and start small businesses.
Experience Sharing and Healing:
Parents discuss challenges and solutions, fostering mutual support and trauma healing.
Cultural and Social Activities:
Families engage in dances, sports, and community events to boost confidence and social skills.
Peer Learning and Leadership:
Parents share responsibilities to develop leadership and collaborative decision-making skills.
Impact
Engaged Families:
108 families, mostly women, participate in three Aguka small saving groups.
Parental Impact:
Improved resilience, financial management, and opportunities for small businesses.
Child Outcomes:
Better feeding, hygiene, school attendance, and confidence.
Family Well-being:
Increased unity and reduced risk of neglect, abuse, and street exposure for children.
Parent Testimony
““Before joining Aguka, I felt overwhelmed and struggled to meet my children’s basic needs. Through the saving group, I have learned to manage money and start a small business. My children now attend school regularly, eat better, and I feel more confident as a mother. Sharing experiences with other parents has given me hope and support. Aguka has truly helped my family grow and thrive.”
Next Steps and Future Goals:
Looking ahead, Aguka seeks to help each participating family start a small business with at least 100,000 Rwandan Francs in capital. To sustain this vision, the program plans to establish an Aguka Business Center, a community hub where parents can access training, mentorship, and business development support. This center will also serve as a safe space for parents to meet, learn, and build cooperative ventures together.
Current Gaps:
To fully realize these goals, Aguka requires:
Seed Capital and Financial Support:
Provides families with resources to start and grow small businesses.
Training Facility:
Dedicated space equipped for business skills, literacy, and vocational training.
Partnerships and Mentorship:
Access to technical expertise, market opportunities, and ongoing coaching.
Enhanced Psychosocial Support:
Addresses parents’ mental health challenges and promotes well-being.
Call
Aguka is more than a program, it is a platform for transformation. By empowering parents economically, emotionally, and socially, it directly improves the lives of children. With the right support, Aguka will expand into a sustainable model where families move from survival to progress, shaping a brighter future for their children and communities.