First Lady Jeannette Kagame has urged residents of Cyanika Sector in Nyamagabe District to work hard and commit their efforts, skills and knowledge to their growth and the development of the country.

Mrs Kagame was speaking, yesterday, while inaugurating several infrastructure projects that were constructed under the Saemuel Zero Hunger Communities (SZHC) ‘Isano Ishamitse Ubikire’ projects.

The SZHC is a three-year pilot project funded by the Republic of Korea through the World Food Programme (WFP).

It is implemented in partnership with Good Neighbours, Nyamagabe District, Cyanika Sector and Unity Club–for which the First Lady is the chairperson.

Zero Hunger Communities projects aim at supporting Nyamagabe to achieve food security and improve living standards of its population. 

Activities under the project include training in income-generating activities, construction of infrastructures, including classrooms, houses for vulnerable families, construction of terraces and a community centre for the local population. 

About 380 households with an estimated 1,650 members in Kirambo, Munyinya and Gasharu villages are benefiting from the $3 million (about Rwf2bn) project. 

Since it started in 2012, the project has constructed more than 100 hectares of terraces, six classrooms and water system infrastructures installed with 11 water taps. 

Nine houses, 20 pit-latrines and kitchens were also constructed, while another six houses were rehabilitated in Munyinya and Birambo villages. 

A multipurpose community centre was also constructed and will serve as a common space for dialogue and discussion on development as well as training in crafts, among others.

Towards self-reliance

At the event, Mrs Kagame also launched Cyanika Technical and Vocational Education Training Centre, which cost more than Rwf350 million and is a result of a partnership between Unity Club and Workforce Development Authority (WDA).

The First Lady told the residents that they have been given a foundation upon which to build prosperous lives.

She encouraged them to make use of the infrastructure and skills acquired under the projects to transform their lives and the lives of others.

"This is a strong foundation from which to start and work for development and self-reliance,” Mrs Kagame said. "Safeguard, protect and use them as a starting point to achieve much more.” 

"Remember, for you to be able to prosper, you need to remain together and united,” Mrs Kagame added, urging the residents to keep supporting the most vulnerable members of their community.

The First Lady said the projects were brought in the area after it was realised that residents, particularly Genocide survivors, were living under harsh conditions.

She said by offering them a helping hand, Unity Club, Government and its partners, were expecting to see the people grow until they attain more improved lives.

Mrs Kagame urged them to remain resilient, work hard and find inspiration through the many developmental programmes that the Government rolled out after the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi, citing Ubudehe, Girinka (One-Cow-Per-Family), education for all, and community health insurance (Mutuelle de Sante), among others.

"Self-reliance shouldn’t just be a concept or a dream, but rather a reality,” she said.

Nyamagabe mayor Philbert Mugisha said the SZHC project has been instrumental in transforming people’s lives in Cyanika.

Anatalie Musabyimana, a Genocide survivor and one of the beneficiaries, said: "Thanks to these projects, we have got the capacity to pay our remittances to the community health insurance scheme, we have increased our agriculture production thanks to the terraces, and we are saving money as we prepare for the future.”