MUSANZE-Twenty families in Kinigi Sector, neighbouring the Volcanoes National Park, received 40 Friesian cows and biogas plants for alternative energy, donated by Safer Rwanda.

According to Christine Muhongerwa, the National Coordinator of Safer Rwanda, the cows handed over last week will not only help families in poverty alleviation but also provide cow-dung for biogas use.

 "We decided to give each family two cows such that they may get materials for use in biogas, which is an alternative power (source), to help stop cutting down of trees for firewood,” Muhongewa said.

Safer Rwanda which is funded by Mac Arthur Foundation, constructed each biogas plant, in every household at a cost of Rwf900,000.

Over 70 families along the Volcanoes National park, will also benefit from solar energy, while in Kimonyi Sector, another group of 70 households has already had solar power installed.

Women have been trained on installation and maintenance of solar energy equipment and setting up of biogas plants.

"It’s an environmental conservation initiative; I encourage you to make better use of these resources, and management in order to get out of poverty. We hope to spread this even to other parts around the park,’’ Muhongerwa said.

The district’s Vice Mayor, Jerome Mugenzi, asked residents to utilise cows donated as an industry to generate receive milk, and manure to boost their health and promote agriculture.

Ends