THARS – Street Business School success!

by | Jul 17, 2023

THARS Centre, Gitega, Burundi

Activities – Economic Empowerment:  teaching basic business skills to small entrepreneurs

Period – 2021 – present.

Beneficiaries – Small entrepreneurs in the villages near Gitega city, Burundi

Project Status –  Ongoing.  Cohort 4 students will commence their studies in August 2023.

Results:  Graduates are on average doubling and tripling their incomes, and generating business activity and jobs in their villages

Needed:  TIC is currently looking for donations to fund the Street Business School into 2024.

www.thars.org

Description

Burundi is an underdeveloped country of 13 million people that has suffered a troubled history of civil war and insecurity.  It is the poorest country in the world. (For perspective, the GDP per capita in Burundi is less than half that of Afghanistan).  The Trauma Healing and Reconciliation Services (THARS) center is located in Burundi’s second city, Gitega.  THARS provides a wide range of rehabilitation services to direct and indirect victims of trauma to assist them reintegrate into society.

THARS, in partnership with Transform International Canada (TIC), determined that a program focused on developing entrepreneurial and business skills would be of benefit to THARS clientele:  most people attending THARS have very little in the way of business education.  The Street Business School (SBS) curriculum was chosen by THARS and TIC for its excellent track record elsewhere in Africa.  The SBS program aims to assist people improve their economic resilience and situation.  Implementation at THARS was in recognition that economic self-sufficiency forms one part of overall rehabilitation post-trauma.

The SBS program currently has its third cohort of 20 students in house; they are set to graduate in August 2023.   A fourth cohort of 30 students will commence their studies in August or September 2023.  Data gathered from graduates thus far shows that on average, students are doubling their income (i.e. from 3 USD per day to 6 USD) within months of starting the program. It is an understatement to say this is having a tremendously positive effect on the lives of the students.  However, it is also creating a virtuous circle for the local communities as well:  SBS graduates are starting small businesses and providing much needed economic life to impoverished villages.

 

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