Last Saturday, the First Lady, Jeannette Kagame, and several top government officials, joined the residents of Ndera Sector in Gasabo District, in an event to launch the construction of 300 houses for the most vulnerable families in the area that still live in thatched houses.

The occasion also marked the beginning of the Girls and Women’s Week in the run-up to the March 8th International Women’s Day.

Also, last week saw businesses in the Southern Province mobilize about Rwf50 million for the construction of decent homes for the poor in the province.

Their counterparts in the Eastern Province were the first to contribute towards the campaign, and there’s talk of the Northern and Western provinces, soon following suit.

In Kigali City, sectors that are relatively better-off have twined with poor neighbourhoods in the city outskirts to boost the anti-nyakatsi campaign.

For instance, businesses in Remera Sector have contributed roofing materials to poor households in Jabana Sector; Kimironko is supporting Ndera to achieve its targets; while Kimihurura has mobilized at least 2000 iron sheets for the poor in Nduba Sector.

At the district level, stakeholders, through the Joint Action Development Forum, have rallied to support the ‘Bye-Bye Nyakatsi’ project, and the results on the ground are impressive. Across the country, this programme is fully owned by the people; they are united in their determination to provide decent shelter to every needy family in their midst.

The enthusiasm and generosity, from Rwandans of all walks of life, that has characterized this campaign, demonstrates a deep sense of humanity and growing patriotism among the Rwandan people.

No doubt, with this spirit, the country can easily shake off the shackles of dependence.

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