October 29, 2025 The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), in partnership with Merry Year International (MYI), held a ceremony to mark the successful completion of a three-year project aimed at promoting agricultural development and supporting rural communities towards self-reliance in Gahengeri Sector, Rwamagana District.
The project, which ran from 2023 to 2025, supported 153 members of the Cooperative COOPALEG, along with other residents from different parts of Rwamagana District. It focused on increasing agricultural productivity, empowering women and youth, and integrating modern technology into farming as a means to improve community livelihoods.
The ceremony was attended by various dignitaries, including:
- The Deputy Chancellor from the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Rwanda
- The Country Director of KOICA Rwanda
- The Executive Director/President of Merry Year International
- The vice Mayor Mr. Kagabo Richard and Mr. Byaruhanga John, Executive Secretary of Gahengeri Sector
And other distinguished guests…
Speech by KOICA Country Director, Ms. Jinhwa kim “Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
It is a great honor for me to be here today as we celebrate the fruits of our cooperation. These are not just closing ceremonies, but a celebration of unity, effort, and the partnership that brought us this far.
On behalf of the Government of Korea, I extend my heartfelt appreciation to the Government of Rwanda for the strong collaboration and friendship that continue to flourish between our two nations.
I particularly commend Rwandan women you are the strength of this nation, the backbone of families and communities. You are the pillars that hold both family and country together.
What you have achieved is not mere statistics; these are tangible results, visible to everyone’s eyes. Through your hard work and dedication, you have shown that our goal of empowering women in agriculture is indeed achievable.
I am happy to see that women are no longer waiting for help but are now leaders and teachers of development in their own families and communities.
I urge you to safeguard what you have achieved. Development is not a gift; it is a journey. We must protect it, build upon it, and use it as a springboard for new opportunities. Continue to work together, believe in yourselves, and make the best use of the opportunities you have.
Rwanda and Korea share many values. In Korea, we have 50 principles built on self-reliance and cooperation. I see these same values reflected here in Rwanda through activities like Umuganda. It shows that unity, diligence, and collective strength are the foundation of sustainable development.
Agriculture remains a cornerstone of development. No nation can progress without empowered and visionary farmers. I commend the Rwandan farmers for their outstanding work. Your children look up to you, and I am confident that you will continue to build a brighter future for them.
Today is not the end of a journey, but the beginning of a new chapter. What you have achieved stands as a shining example for others. May God bless you and help you sustain this progress.
Thank you very much.”
Speech by the President of Merry Year International (Global Executive Director) “I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who joined us for this important occasion. It is an honor to be here with you today.
I especially thank the Embassy of Korea in Rwanda, the leadership of KOICA Rwanda, the Vice Mayor of Rwamagana, and all local leaders and cooperative members of COOPALEG.
Today is a day of joy and pride. We are here not only to celebrate but also to reflect on the tremendous progress we have achieved together.
These achievements do not belong only to COOPALEG but have a significant impact at the district and national level. Our joint work has helped many people overcome poverty and improve their economic and social wellbeing.
Looking back at where we started and where we are today gives us great hope for the future. From agriculture to infrastructure, we have made visible progress thanks to KOICA, the Government of Rwanda, and local authorities. Without your partnership, we could not have reached this milestone.
I extend special appreciation to all our partners and COOPALEG members. The training programs we conducted helped strengthen your skills, enabling long-lasting change. Together, we have built a strong foundation for future growth.
The unity and achievements we see today pave the way for a brighter tomorrow. Even though numbers may not fully express them, the changes are visible in people’s lives.
Thank you all for walking this long journey of development together.”
Speech by Mr. Ochul Kwon, Country Director of Merry Year International Rwanda “I want to thank everyone present at this important ceremony. Each one of you has played a critical role throughout our three-year journey.
Today we celebrate not just results but the spirit of teamwork that made this possible. I particularly appreciate the leadership of Gahengeri Sector, Rwamagana District, KOICA, and the Embassy of Korea in Rwanda for their invaluable contributions.
When we recall how we started three years ago, the situation was very difficult. Women — especially single mothers — were struggling to sustain their families. Agriculture was challenging, and many did not yet understand its potential.
Our goal was not only to provide support but to help each person discover their own strength and determination to change their lives. And we succeeded.
We brought together 153 members to form Cooperative COOPALEG, and through training, leadership, and hard work, we overcame many challenges — from securing land, seeds, and fertilizers, to building the cooperative’s management capacity.
Today, farmers no longer rely on traditional methods; they are now model farmers!
We have linked COOPALEG to major buyers such as Pride Farm, Prox Fresh, Triple Ex, and Fisher Global. We even expanded farming activities to new areas like Zanzu, where we grow high-value crops.
Although the journey was tough, the results are remarkable — agricultural yields have increased significantly over the past three years.
Your dedication, teamwork, and persistence are the reasons we are celebrating today. Let us continue working hard together. Thank you very much!”
Speech by Rwamagana District Vice Mayor in Charge of Economic Development, Mr. Kagabo Richard “I thank all leaders and partners who joined us today. It is an honor to welcome you to Rwamagana and to see the strong presence of COOPALEG members at this celebration.
I commend your commitment and the way you have worked closely with government and partners like KOICA and Merry International.
These agricultural and social development initiatives have transformed lives not only here in Gahengeri but also in other parts of the district. When we hear testimonies from beneficiaries, we feel the real emotional impact of this partnership.
I also commend the cooperative’s leadership — you have shown capacity and growth, even being able to express yourselves in English, which reflects confidence and progress.
I urge all COOPALEG members to value this opportunity. Not all countries easily share their resources to uplift local farmers, and you should make the best use of what you have received.
Remember, land is limited while population keeps growing. Let us protect our land, use it wisely, and apply all the knowledge you have gained.
I am proud of the visible changes I have witnessed in just 20 months of serving in this area. You are transforming your communities. Let’s continue to work together to make even greater progress. Thank you.”
Achievements Over the Three-Year Project Period
During the three years of implementation, the project achieved significant milestones:
Agricultural productivity increased from RWF 7.2 million to RWF 22.2 million;
High-value crop production in greenhouses increased 22 times;
Farmers received 11,350 kg of fertilizers, 608 tons of compost, and regular training in modern agriculture and ICT;
80% of women were trained in leadership, and three of them were elected to lead the cooperative;
RWF 1.8 million was contributed to the Mutuelle de Santé program, helping residents outside the project access health insurance and improve family health.
Voices from the Beneficiaries
Mr. Cleophas Rugwizangoga, President of Cooperative COOPALEG, said: “I thank everyone who came to celebrate with us today. When our cooperative was still struggling, KOICA and Merry Year International helped us rise out of poverty.
They supported us with various facilities — we received an office, a cold storage machine for vegetables, and a greenhouse. They even introduced us to new crops such as mushrooms, helping us connect to reliable markets.
Today, we have achieved 70% of our targets. We pay our Mutuelle health insurance on time and support vulnerable members, even donating goats to those in need.
Our cooperative now has 153 members — 117 women, 36 men, including 36 youth. Many of us have built our own houses, and our lives have changed significantly.
I sincerely thank our Government, partners, and sponsors for making this possible.”
Ms. Mutimukeye Marie Jean, a mother of seven and one of the COOPALEG committee members, shared her inspiring story:
> “My name is Mutimukeye Marie Jean. I am a mother of seven children and a proud member of COOPALEG’s leadership committee.
I feel deeply honored to have been chosen to represent my fellow members and to be trusted with managing our cooperative’s finances.
I thank our Government for always supporting us, and KOICA for their compassionate heart toward the poor. Their support began in 2019, when they helped women like me from vulnerable families.
At that time, I was living in poverty, but through their program, I received a plot of land and valuable training. With determination, I worked hard and used what I learned to change my family’s life.
In the early years, we had no home and used to rent. But after three years, we managed to buy land and build our own house.
In 2023, KOICA returned and trained us on saving and financial management. I used those savings to expand my business, and now my children are studying well.
I even took a small loan to start a business, which is now growing. I am grateful for all the support I received and I now dream of helping others, just as I was helped.
My life has truly changed for the better, and I have hope for the future.”
The KOICA–Merry Year International project has achieved remarkable success and has now been officially handed over to the COOPALEG Cooperative and Rwamagana District to ensure its long-term sustainability.
All leaders emphasized that these are “seeds of hope” that will continue to grow among the people of Rwanda. “Giving a person a fish helps them for a day; teaching them how to fish helps them for a lifetime.”
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