Members of the Wanda Bakery cooperative
Wanda Bakery has received full national cooperative status yesterday, under the name “Wanda Bakery Developing Lives.” Alice Gikundiro, President of Wanda Bakery, was given a signed and stamped copy of the registration from the mayor’s office. Alice says the Bakery has helped her and others “make a living and become an independent and successful woman.”
The mayor expressed his congratulations and support for Wanda Bakery. He was especially pleased that Wanda Bakery was offering the community a product – baked goods – that other cooperatives are not.
The sector level government offices also invited four of the Bakery’s staff for a training course last week, where they learned more about managing their cooperative.
The national cooperative status is good for two years. After one year, local government inspectors will visit the Bakery to observe its activities and ensure the Bakery is fulfilling its statutes.
Wanda Bakery grew from a women’s discussion group called Women Developing Rwanda, which was part of Network for Africa’s Rwanda Multi-Learning Centre. It has been operating has a bakery since 2009. The women of the Bakery re-invest a percentage of their profits back into their business, with some support from Network for Africa, as well. The Bakery business plan is to eventually open a small restaurant that will sell traditional Rwandese food, in addition to baked goods.
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