NORTHERN PROVINCE MUSANZE — At least 500 residents of the Gashaki Sector in Musanze district have raised over Rwf 11m towards poverty eradication. This was revealed early this week during a function to exhibit what the Sector has previously achieved in different domains including poverty eradication initiatives through the formation of cooperative societies. The development is seen as a big step in the area, as Gashaki was regarded as one of the poorest Sectors in the district- with people categorised as absolute poor. The Sector was also chosen to act as the Vision 2020 Umurenge-VUP where most poverty eradication initiatives are demonstrated in the Musanze district. The leaders attributed the positive development to various strategies that include mass sensitisation and mobilisation- using what they called the rapid results approach, and encouraging residents to engage in agro-related business ventures. 22 area residents have acquired a loan worth over Rwf9m which they have invested in agriculture and livestock farming. Four cooperative societies in the four main administrative cells have been formed, whose members have formed a resolving fund from which members can get loans. The Vision 2020 Sector has also set up exemplary hills commonly known as ‘Agasozi Indatwa’ where activities of the green revolution, terracing, fertiliser application and growing of selected crops is carried out. At the function, Justin Gatsinzi, an official of the Ministry of Local Government, said that there is hope that activities in which residents are involved will spur development in the area. It was also revealed that all residents in the Sector have completed paying next year’s medical insurance-mituelle de sante and have constructed houses for the vulnerable groups. Ends
