Sixty goats were distributed to 60 households in Gikomero Sector, Gasabo District, on Saturday to help improve welfare and economic development of the population in rural areas.

The goats were donated to Gikomero residents by Rwanda Environment Conservation Organisation (RECOR), a local non-governmental organisation that deals with environment conservation.

Languide Nyirabahire, the Gasabo vice-mayor in charge of social affairs, commended the support, saying it helped the district extend poverty reduction programmes to many people.

"Those who benefited from the support will not be considered as needy, what we urge them is to keep the goats well so that the proceeds will help them pay medical insurance (Mutuelle de Santé) and fees for their children,” Nyirabahire said.

Chrysostome Sehene, the executive secretary of RECOR, said the support is in line with organisation’s mission to boost environment conservation and improve self-reliance among the populace affected by climate change.

"Don’t use these goats to resolve ‘small’ daily problems, but to fertilise your farms and increase agricultural production. This will go hand-in-hand with a savings culture to reduce impact of climate change,” Sehene told the beneficiaries.

Jonas Shema, the executive secretary of Gikomero Sector, hailed the support and urged beneficiaries not to take them for granted.

"The Government doesn’t have direct money to distribute to every needy person, but it has programmes to equip you with practical skills so you can make money by yourselves,” he said.

Beneficiaries speak

Stephanie Mukarutsinga, a widow and a mother of three, said she depends on cultivating a small piece of land, but the goat will be crucial to her family’s sustenance.

"Although it can’t give me a direct outcome, it is good capital for the future. I hope it will give birth to many goats, I will be selling them and buy a cow to further improve my family’s welfare,” she said.

Esperance Dusabimana, a divorced mother of three, said life has been challenging.

"Living without something that can support you for unexpected case was always disturbing me,” she said, promising to work hard for self-reliance.

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