One widow's tale of struggle in the aftermath of disaster

Maria Kubwimana still remembers the night of October 27 as the worst in her life for it is this night that took away her house and property. It was the night windy rain that gushed through the rural Musha Sector in Gisagara District, destroying 39 houses and 16 hectares of banana plantations, including Kubwimana’s house. With her three children, Kubwimana sought shelter in a neighbour’s house. She still lives there. “Life is not moving well. It is simply a mess,” Kubwimana, a widowed mother of three, says of life in the aftermath of the disaster. “I have no words to describe it. It is simply unbelievable and the situation I am in is difficult to accept.” Since the storm left her small mud house roofless, the resident of Buremera Village in Musha Sector lives with her neighbour Emmanuel Havugimana, a married father of two whose family has accepted to temporarily host Kubwimana as they look for ways of rebuilding their house. “Our culture teaches us to help our neighbours when in trouble. I couldn’t refuse to shelter them while their house had been destroyed,” Havugimana says. Troubled life Kubwimana’s life has been almost marked by poverty and a vain struggle to emerge out of it. About five years ago, the 50-year-old woman was living in a small leaking thatched house – a situation that she says was so complicated. But as the government moved to phase out thatched houses three years ago, Kubwimana was also compelled to move out of the Nyakatsi – as the houses are commonly known – and was helped to get a new iron-roofed house nearby through community help and government support.’ But the joy of living in a new more decent house did not last longer. Soon after moving into the house, Kubwimana was notified that the area had been labelled ‘a high-risk zone,’ signalling that there was a high possibility of disasters that could cause loss of lives and property. Emmanuel Havugimana, Kubwimana’s neighbour. Together with other residents, Kubwimana was instructed to leave and establish her home in a new area. “It was a blow for me because I didn’t have money to build another house,” she says. “Besides, it was difficult for me to acquire a plot in the designated safe area to build a new house.” But as authorities kept warning of possible disasters and pushing dwellers to move out of the risky zone to avoid endangering their lives, Kubwimana was left with no choice. She exchanged a major part of her ‘small’ land against a plot in Buremera Village where she established a new home. But a week ago, the roof of her tiny mud-and-wattle house was blown off during a storm that pounded the area, leaving dozens of families homeless. Authorities, seemingly caught by surprise in an area that has no recent record of disasters, responded by providing support mainly in terms of foodstuff to the affected families. Authorities say those who benefited from the support were those identified as the most vulnerable. Efforts are still being made to secure more support for the affected families, according to local leaders. Kubwimana says apart from recording her situation and what she lost in the windy rains, she has so far received no material support. “I am trying to look for ways of surviving,” Kubwimana, a casual labourer, says. “My situation is very delicate. I hardly put food on the table and I fear I won’t be able to rebuild my house.” Wait continues She adds: “My iron sheets were damaged beyond any use and I am required to buy new ones. I can’t afford it and I am looking to the government for support.” A windstorm left Kubwimana’s mud-and-wattle house roofless, forcing her to pitch camp with Havugimana. (JP. Bucyensenge) David Ntiyamira Muhire, the sector executive secretary, said the extent of the damage caused by the recent rains, which is estimated to be over Rwf20 million, is beyond their capacity. He said they are waiting for support from the central government to help those affected. Ntiyamira said in the meantime residents have been asked to temporarily shelter their neighbours whose houses were destroyed. “At least I have where to sleep. I always wonder what would have happened if this family didn’t take me and my children in. I am very thankful,” Kubwimana says. jp.bucyensenge@newtimes.co.rw

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One widow's tale of struggle in the aftermath of disaster