KAMONYI- A local NGO, Rwanda Development Solutions (RDS), on Monday handed out 15 heifers to cooperatives of Persons Living With HIV/Aids (PLWAs) in Mwendo Sector, Ruhango District. The cross-bred cows were handed over by Fidele Gatsinzi, the Executive Director of the NGO, who explained that the support was funded by the Global Fund to economically empower PLWAs.
KAMONYI- A local NGO, Rwanda Development Solutions (RDS), on Monday handed out 15 heifers to cooperatives of Persons Living With HIV/Aids (PLWAs) in Mwendo Sector, Ruhango District.
The cross-bred cows were handed over by Fidele Gatsinzi, the Executive Director of the NGO, who explained that the support was funded by the Global Fund to economically empower PLWAs.
"These animals were requested by our members as a way of empowering the cooperatives. This will contribute to the national development strategy of the One-cow-per-family programme and improve the welfare of vulnerable persons,” Gatsinzi said.
He reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to support the community in its three year strategic plan which will cover the four sectors in the district; Mbuye, Ntongwe, Kinihira and Mwendo.
By-products from the animals will be managed by each of the groups to benefit members in various cooperatives.
A beneficiary, Appollinaria Nibarere, said milk would improve her feeding- a prerequisite when taking anti-retrovirals.
Kamonyi Vice Mayor for Economic Affairs, Epimaque Twagiramana, hailed the NGO for promoting the welfare of vulnerable residents, and urged the beneficiaries to take good care of the animals.
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