What is the project “Support for the Sustainable Resumption of Income-Generating Activities”?

1. A project funded by the French Embassy in Burundi

Funded by the French Embassy in Burundi and implemented by the Service Yezu Mwiza (SYM), the project “Support for the Sustainable Resumption of Income-Generating Activities” aims to strengthen the economic resilience of nearly 220 vulnerable women living with HIV through the reinforcement and updating of knowledge and practices related to their income-generating activities (IGAs). These SYM beneficiaries come from the hills of Buhonga, Kabezi, Magara, Mayuyu, and Mutumba and are organized into 73 groups.

2. Supporting women living with HIV in a context of multidimensional vulnerability

For more than 15 years, SYM has assisted and accompanied thousands of women living with HIV in establishing income-generating activities (IGAs), including agriculture, livestock, and trade. These IGAs are designed to support the economic empowerment of vulnerable women, enabling them to meet their own and their families’ needs, strengthen self-esteem and community roles, and significantly reduce the risk of discontinuing antiretroviral therapy (ART). Through IGAs, hundreds of women living with HIV have regained dignity.

However, many women-led enterprises have been affected by climate change and health hazards (droughts, floods, and livestock diseases), which weaken their economic and social empowerment. These challenges, combined with certain discrimination they experience in their communities, have impacted their daily lives. It is within this context of multidimensional vulnerability that the project “Support for the Sustainable Resumption of Income-Generating Activities” has been welcomed by beneficiaries as a timely and valuable initiative.

---

Key activities marking the official launch of the project

Starting in the first half of December, a series of activities marked the official launch of the project: the distribution of seeds, agricultural inputs, and small livestock to women’s groups, as well as capacity-building sessions accompanied by discussions with beneficiaries on the state of their income-generating activities.

1. Distribution of seeds, agricultural inputs, and small livestock

During visits to Buhonga, Kabezi, Magara, Mayuyu, and Mutumba, the different women’s groups received distributions of seeds and agricultural inputs. Each group had previously expressed its urgent needs. Some groups received tomato and maize seeds, while others received cabbage, potato, and eggplant seeds. Beneficiaries also received irrigation equipment to help them better cope with droughts.

2. Capacity-building sessions

The knowledge and practice updating sessions were held in December at the sites of Mayuyu, Buhonga, Kabezi, and Magara. They provided an opportunity to remind these women’s groups of the fundamentals of planning and managing a healthy and productive income-generating activity. The sessions also allowed discussions with beneficiaries on daily challenges, obstacles, and opportunities they encounter in their environments. Moreover, the training emphasized the importance of tracking generated income and reinvesting it to expand activities. According to beneficiaries’ testimonies, the capacity-building sessions were beneficial in multiple ways.

Beneficiary testimonies on capacity-building

Marguerite from Buhonga shared that this session helped reinforce previous training and establish complementary good practices. For example, due to the trust among members of her group, they had not been recording all activities, associated expenses (seed purchases, transport costs, etc.), or generated profits. She recognized that keeping track of activities ensures transparency and trust.

Another beneficiary, Concilie from Mayuyu, welcomed the session as a useful refresher of the initial training. She stated that she acquired strategies to address difficulties caused by droughts and crop diseases, such as early detection of problems.

---

In gratitude

Service Yezu Mwiza expresses its gratitude to the French Embassy in Burundi for supporting the promotion of holistic health and the economic empowerment of its beneficiaries.

By, Communications Team

Service Yezu Mwiza, Burundi.