Residents of Kigoma and Gishamvu sectors in Huye District are celebrating significant progress in combating malnutrition through a unique community-driven development model. These and other villages are on track to become models of success in rural development, inspiring more communities across the country to follow suit.

This success comes under the Advancing Citizen Engagement (ACE) project, spearheaded by Spark Microgrants in partnership with the Rwandan government since 2021. The project is implemented through Spark Microgrants’ Facilitated Collective Action Process (FCAP) model.

Spark Microgrants, an international organisation founded in 2010, has been a cornerstone in transformation. The organisation’s FCAP model integrates community capacity-building accompanied by grant funding, allowing villages to design and implement social projects based on their unique priorities.

For many years, malnutrition and stunting were pressing issues in the rural village, where poverty prevented families from accessing nutritious food. However, through training and community mobilization, residents came together to drive change under the guidance of local officials, such as Social Economic Development Officers (SEDOs).

Spark Microgrants provided over Rwf8 million to the community, which they used to buy pigs, and hens, and engage in kitchen gardening and installation of solar panels with support from the government. These efforts have directly addressed hunger and improved the health of children in the community.

Kitchen gardens around the villages have not only provided food for households but also generated organic manure for crop production. With pigs and poultry integrated into their projects, villagers now have reliable sources of both food and income.

The manure from the livestock has improved soil fertility, boosting vegetable production. As a result, children who previously suffered from malnutrition now receive balanced meals, and parents have seen stunting rates in the area drop steadily.

According to Appolinalie Mukanyabyenda, a Community-Based Facilitator (CBF), also known as Inyenyeri working in the Kabingo village, in Kigoma Sector, the model shifts development power to the people. At home, she raises goats, pigs, hens for eggs, and rabbits.

In their planning, she said, village members mapped potential business hotspots and identified areas for further development, such as savings and lending groups, small-scale farming, and school improvements.

"Spark Microgrants has trained me, and I was allowed to train others as well. After receiving funding, we initially focused on pig farming and other income-generating projects. In the subsequent cycle, we decided to save and lend among ourselves.

"I borrowed Rwf120,000 from the savings group to purchase over 60 hens, which produce more than 30 eggs daily. Each tray sells for Rwf4,500. This has helped me so much, especially since my pigs have also produced many piglets that I sold to meet my family’s essential needs,” she added.

Clothilde Mushimiyimana, a village in Kabingo, faced challenges when her son suffered from malnutrition during his early months. However, he has now recovered from stunting at three and a half years old, thanks to her efforts in farming a kitchen garden using fertiliser from pig dung. She received the pig through Spark Microgrants.

Additionally, Mushimiyimana was able to purchase Bboxx solar panels and renovate her house, transforming it into a high-quality shelter.

Vestine Nyiramanywa, a 77-year-old citizen from Gitwa village, Kibogo Cell, in Gishamvu sector, expressed deep gratitude for Spark Microgrants’ inclusive approach.

She recounted how the programme ensured that no one, including the elderly, was left out. Through the initiative, Nyiramanywa received pigs, which have become an important resource for supporting her grandchildren and generating income for her personal needs, such as clothing, without depending on others despite her age.

Nyiramanywa added that the most transformative aspect of the programme was how it restored her sense of purpose and dignity.

"It enabled me to transition from feeling hopeless to becoming an empowered and active citizen, contributing to the country’s development alongside others,” she said.

Ange Sebutege, Mayor of Huye District, commended the community for their accomplishments, highlighting the significance of such grassroots initiatives in both Kigoma and Gishamvu sectors, each comprising 60 and 25 villages respectively.

He noted: "As district authorities, we observe notable advancements, particularly in livestock and household income growth. A clear example is the improved performance in the annual Community-Based Health Insurance (CBHI)/Mutuelle de Santé rankings, where Gishamvu, previously lagging, now leads. Empowering citizens simplifies every aspect of development.”

He added: "In Huye District, our stunting rate is currently at 16 per cent, with a target to reduce it below 15 per cent by 2029. Everyone should share the ambition that no Rwandan should experience malnutrition. We believe this goal is achievable through community groups where members exchange ideas about their personal progress and the country’s development. We aim to achieve even more.”

The Advancing Citizen Engagement (ACE) project has empowered communities to take ownership of their development and make informed decisions. 7600 villagers across 249 villages in Huye, Gicumbi, Gakenke, and Burera districts have seen positive changes in their livelihoods

The project has demonstrated the power of citizen engagement in driving positive change and improving the lives of rural communities in Rwanda.