Rwanda Red Cross Thursday donated 18 Friesian cows and 54 pigs worth Rwf 8 million to the needy and HIV/AIDS infected residents in Gicumbi District.

The president of the Rwanda Red Cross, Dr Bernard Nzigiye, handed over the donation aimed at alleviating poverty among the beneficiaries.

 The program is supported by the Global Fund in collaboration with the Red Cross.

The beneficiaries were selected from 12 cooperatives which comprise of HIV/AIDS infected residents from four sectors in the district.

"With the help of the local authorities, we identify the most affected communities characterised by poverty. We now have over 300 members benefiting from the project,” Nzigiye said, adding that the two-year project would be carried out throughout the country.

"We want these people to have a better livelihood,” Nzigiye noted.

Red Cross officials said six of the beneficiaries preferred raising pigs.

One of the beneficiaries, Jean Damascene Nkundabatware, said that the cows would contribute to manure for her farm.

"I have a small farm where I have been growing some vegetables. This cow will enable it to yield more,” said Nkundabatware, a father of six.

Another beneficiary, Rose Uwamahoro shared similar joy.

"I had lost hope of any improvement economically, but now that I have been given this cow, I am certain of a better life and my family,” Uwamohoro said.

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