Burera District officials have set end of October as deadline to complete the construction of more than 40 houses and some 2,000 pit-latrines for vulnerable residents.

The initiative was announced after identifying the needy people in the district who lived in poor conditions.

The houses and pit-latrines will be constructed in partnership with district officials and residents in special community works, Umuganda.

Mayor Samuel Sembagare said there is a target to have all the construction completed before the month ends.

Most of houses to be constructed are in Cyanika, Gahunga and Rugarama sectors, all located in volcanic region with poor soils.

Sembagare said the district will transport soil and other construction materials from other areas.

The targeted families will also benefit from other government programmes to help elevate them into self-reliance, the mayor added.

"These households have been identified as poor families and as we are constructing houses for them, we will give a cow to each family and all of them will benefit from the Vision Umurenge Programme and families will be given free health insurance,” Sembagare said.

He added that children from vulnerable families will have access to free education in technical and vocational schools in the district to help them create more jobs.

Beneficiaries-to-be of the houses and pit-latrines to be constructed said they are lucky and vowed to make good use of the opportunity to lift themselves out of poverty.

"I have lived a miserable life for years with almost no roof over my small house. I am happy that I am going to get a house and a latrine,” said an elderly woman, only identified as Nyiraruvugo.

Nyiraruvugo, who lives with three children, added that having pit-latrines would help them avoid hygienic-related diseases. editorial@newtimes.co.rw