How RDF's outreach programme has boosted life for Gicumbi residents

Donatha Nyanzira sits with a nurse at Gishambashayo health post as she explains her clinical condition. Outside the health post, an interaction between teachers and their students can be heard. The health post is built next to the well-constructed Groupe Scolaire Rubaya both constructed last year by the Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF) as part of the army’s contribution towards social economic development of Rwandans. These two facilities were inaugurated last year, during the 21st anniversary for the national liberation. Students in a chemistry class inside one of the classrooms constructed by RDF last year. (Jean dAmour Mbonyinshuti) A resident of one of the remotest parts of the former Byumba Prefecture (now Gicumbi District) in Northern Province, Nyanzira for years found it difficult to access basic infrastructure for many years. “I grew up in this area but we had never had any kind of infrastructure, we used to seek health services from very far and it complicated our living conditions. One could walk a long distance access the health centre and the situation worsened whenever one was in critical condition,” she says. “Similarly, going to school was hard for students who made several kilometres to the nearest primary school. Many dropped out of school, meaning that we benefitted less from the opportunity that was ushered in by the Liberation Struggle,” Nyanzira said. The resident of Gahinga cell in Rubaya sector, Gicumbi District says that achieving social economic development was a mere dream. “The situation was complicated, we had no hope for a better future because you cannot dream of a better future if you don’t have access to health and to basic education,” she says. “Most of our children would drop out of school before completing primary education and those who persisted performed dismally because of getting to school late and tired because of the long distance,” Nyanzima explains. The nearest school was within six kilometres from her village, a similar distance was covered to access the nearest health facility. It was not until last year when the residents received a school and a health post, among other facilities, constructed by the Rwanda Defense Forces through their annual outreach exercise, ‘Army Week.’ A total of 12 classrooms in four blocks with a capacity to host over 700 pupils, over 11 kilometres of feeder roads from Gatuna Boarder Post to the rural area was also constructed to link the area to other parts of the district and beyond. In addition to this, the RDF’s Engineering Brigade constructed an integrated market in Rubaya. The cross -border market as it border with Uganda has stalls and a slaughter house, to serve four sectors, including Rubaya, Rushaki, and Cyumba, with a population of nearly 80,000 people. The facilities are also equipped with electricity that has also been extended to the community around. Liberation hallmark The facilities were constructed in Gihanga Cell, Rubaya Sector, a place considered one of the main hallmarks of the Liberation Struggle that ended 22 years ago today. Rubaya itself hosted a sickbay of the Rwanda Patriotic Army combatants and the liberators hail area residents for having been supportive during the liberation process. “We are thankful for the facilities, imagine having a school and a health post nearby, I had three children who had dropped out of school but they have resumed their studies, thanks to the nearby schools” says Nyanzira. “We now get basic health care from the nearby health post and go to hospital when the health posts is not able to treat us, this would have not been possible had it been for RDF and the government of Rwanda who constructed us this health post,” she adds. Innocent Nshimiyimana, another resident said: “We lived with RPA soldiers during the Liberation Struggle and they were really friendly and protective, having their social development activities here is an indication of their care and love to us.” “We are more than happy for this, our children find it easy to go to school, have time to revise before and after class unlike in the past. Their performance has improved and hopes are that the future is the best,” he adds. David Disingizimana, 17, a Senior Two student, says he resumed his studies after the school was opened near home. “I used to go to school in Bugwe sector which is far from here and I dropped out before I completed senior one because most times I reached school late and was subjected to punishments,” he said. Hosiane Nisingizwe, 13, who goes to the same school, says the nearby health post helps students, especially girls, as they get basic treatment from it. Charlotte Benihirwe, the Gicumbi District officer in-charge of social affairs, says the facilities built by RDF helped the beneficiaries a lot as they no longer walk long distances either to study or look for health services. She added that the residents are also confident in RDF and believe that the army is not only helpful whenever there is insecurity but also contribute to socio-economic development. Some children used to drop out and engaged in informal cross border business while others perform poorly,” Benihirwe said, adding that the past one year has been very different from old times. “People now get health services nearby and besides treatment, they have medics in their midst to advise them on different issues. It will certainly have an impact on the general production because people are healthier,” Benihirwe said.

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How RDF's outreach programme has boosted life for Gicumbi residents