International NGOs operating in Rwanda, under the banner of the Network for International Non Government Organisations (NINGO), yesterday began a two-day exhibition in Kigali to showcase their activities to the general public.

The expo, underway at Petit-Stade, Remera, is meant to showcase the international organisations’ contribution to Rwanda’s development, as well as facilitate sharing of experiences and knowledge, organisers say.

One of the requirements for registration of an international NGO is having an action plan that resonates with the broader national development aspirations, with current guiding blueprints being Vision 2020 and EDPRS II, as well as District Development Plan at the local level.

Their activities are regularly monitored by the Rwanda Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration.

Esperance Nyirahabiyambere, a resident of Gitesi Sector, Karongi District, is a beneficiary of ActionAid, through a community cooperative dubbed Tuzamure-Agaseke. The group boasts 63 members, 55 of whom are women, they are involved in extensive maize farming.

The cooperative supports widows, majority of them Genocide survivors.

Speaking to The New Times shortly after the INGOs expo opened yesterday, Nyirahabiyambere said she and her colleagues in the cooperative have grabbed the opportunity with both hands, significantly transforming their lives.

"Previously, our maize harvest could get destroyed through poor storage and productivity was a bit poor because of our practices. When ActionAid came in to help improve on our farming practices and thus productivity, they gave us a grant of Rwf10 million which we used to buy a maize processing mill and construct a warehouse,” she said.

She added: "We have since grown and now buy and process maize from neighbouring districts. Our cooperative is now producing good quality maize flour, we do supply markets in Kigali.”

In Rwanda, most INGOs’ interventions are in the areas of agriculture, forestry, health and nutrition for mothers and children, as well as advancement of political participation, promotion of accountability and transparency.

Christine Musabyimana, another beneficiary from Muko Sector, Musanze District, said through various trainings organised by the NGOs, she and her neighbours have actively tackled poverty and domestic violence in their community.

"Now I have the courage to speak to the media, I visit Parliament and submit my petition over different issues that are not going right in my community. I can say these organisations have empowered us a lot, especially us women in rural areas,” explained Musabyimana.

Ange Sebutege, the Head of Communication at Rwanda Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration, said international organisations’ interventions complement government’s efforts in uplifting people’s lives.

"Their activities are in line with the national development agenda. They are government partners and help contribute to national development objectives,” he told this paper.

NGOs are mainly active at the district level and are, therefore, required to work closely with local governments and align their activities with district development plans.

Greene Myal, the Network for INGOs chairperson, told The New Times that sharing best practices helps better their intervention programmes.  

"This is an opportunity to showcase the work of International NGOs and to show the public that were are actually contributing toward the development of the country,” he said.

Myal added, "We have different economic, social and human rights practices...we believe all this can play a key role in Rwanda’s development.”

The exhibition brought together 38 INGOs.Organisers say the expo will become an annual affair.