At “Petite Barrière”in Rubavu border post between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, a group of individuals with physical and visual impairments are challenging conventional stereotypes and proving that disability is not a barrier to productivity. They are members of the COTTRARU cooperative, an initiative driven by determination, solidarity, and resilience.
Founded in 2011 with just 28 members, many of whom were war veterans or genocide survivors, COTTRARU (Cooperative de Transporteurs Transfrontaliers avec Handicap de Rubavu) has grown into a 94-member force. These men and women transport goods across the border using customized bicycles and carts, turning what many would consider a limitation into a livelihood.
Vedaste Niyonzima, the cooperative’s president, proudly emphasizes the uniqueness of the initiative: “Our members are not beggars; they are contributors to their families and to society. The cooperative gave us a chance to reclaim dignity through work.”
The cooperative has achieved milestones many thought impossible. It has built equity worth nearly 2 million Rwandan francs and is constructing a cooperative building that has already consumed over 110 million RWF. Members are now homeowners, parents of school-going children, and proud contributors to the national economy.
One striking story is that of Verediyana Nyirandabateze, a visually impaired woman who has worked for over a decade in the cooperative. Though unable to see, she pays her share, owns a bicycle, and relies on fellow members to transport loads, reinforcing the spirit of unity and mutual aid.
“When people come together, nothing is impossible. This cooperative helped me move beyond self-pity. I even started raising poultry for extra income,” she shares.
COTTRARU is not only about economic empowerment; it is about psychological liberation. Members say they have transitioned from dependency to dignity. They call upon others with disabilities to leave the streets and join them in building sustainable livelihoods.
MUKANTWALI Magnifique