Church leaders that operate in Huye District, in partnership with Compassion International, donated 336 cows to poor residents on Tuesday.

The churches include the Pentecostal Church in Rwanda (ADEPR), Baptists Union Church in Rwanda (UEBR), Anglican Church of Rwanda (EAR), Community of Christian Churches in Africa (CECA), Free Methodist Church, Presbyterian Church of Rwanda (EPR) and Restoration Church.

The Director General for Animal Resources at the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI), Dr Theogene Rutagwenda, who represented the Agriculture minister at the ceremony, said social protection programmes were very important to Rwandans.

"The cows offered will soon be lactating. Thus providing milk which will help address malnutrition among children who are the ‘future Rwanda”, he said.

He praised the partnership between Compassion International, churches and Huye District. He promised MINAGRI’s support.

Compassion International country director, John Nkubana praised the Girinka programme.

"We place a lot of emphasis on the Girinka programme; it has improved the lives of the people,” he said.

Nkubana thanked the Government for ensuring good governance.

Huye District mayor Eugène Kayiranga Muzuka said good governance ensures that social protection programmes benefits all the Rwandans equally.

Bishop Jean Bosco Kabamba, from Restoration Church, who spoke on behalf of the churches, thanked the government for initiating Girinka.

Beneficiaries were urged to take care of the cows as each can produce between 25 to 30 litres of milk per day.

Nkubana said Compassion International supports about 80,000 needy children by paying for their education and other needs.

Clementine Uwizeyimana, a senior five secondary school student from Huye District, whose education is being sponsored by Compassion International, said the cow would benefit her a lot.

"I’m an orphan. I will look after this cow so it can give me milk and manure to fertilise my garden. Through the sales of the milk, I will be able to get other basic needs,” she said.

Since the introduction of Girinka in 2006, more than 198,000 beneficiaries have received cows. The programme aims to provide 350,000 cows to poor families by 2017.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw