Jean-Claude’s ambitiousness sets him apart. In 2011, as part of the Graduation programme he invested in a simple, but effective bicycle taxi. The profits from his one-man trade helped him not only to maintain a home, but keep aside additional savings to fund motorcycle driving lessons, an elusive license and eventually the bike itself. And while a car is a natural progression, he’s already thinking one step beyond. In the next four years he aims to invest in an 18-seater minibus.

Prior to setting up his own nascent business, Jean-Claude had tried to earn a living in Rwanda’s capital, Kigali. His sense of responsibility for his sister, Claudine, brought him back home to Kabuga village. The siblings had been orphaned from a young age, and enjoy a close relationship. Legally, they could not live in their own house, and spent a spell living as guests of others before finally renting a place by themselves. Jean-Claude had been taking odd jobs to pay for rent, but found it tough to cover their costs.

Now, after a consistent spell of saving, the pair have their own home again. The cost of building was mainly paid by Jean-Claude, topped up with consumption support as part of the Graduation programme.

His ambition has proven contagious. Claudine has now enrolled in tailoring classes, with plans to offer her sewing services in the market square or work in a tailor’s shop after her training has finished. There’s one more addition to Jean-Claude’s shopping list: to buy his sister a sewing machine.

Irish artist Brian Maguire in South Sudan

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