Ubudehe Beneficiaries in Poverty Alleviation Drive

NORTHERN PROVINCE Over 360 beneficiaries of Ubudehe community fund in Cyabingo Sector in Gakenke district came out to showcase their developmental ventures that was collectively valued at Rwf.7m. having grown from capital injections of Rwf.7m which was loaned to them in March this year. The beneficiaries who included very poor families known as abatindi Cyakuja are mainly engaged in cattle, pig and chicken keeping, while a further 100 are engaged in business activities, a further 88 being involved in the growing of coffee, flowers and Irish potatoes. The district authorities toured all the projects including a newly constructed primary school in Muhaza cell constructed by the Ubudehe funding to the tune of Rwf.9million. The district mayor, Damien Hakizayezu said that the progress of those who benefited from Ubudehe funding should teach others that it is possible to raise their standards of living by working hard and embracing a culture of innovation. He said that the challenge lies within people’s attitude towards change and a poor savings culture. He said that fighting poverty requires a shift in community dynamics from a traditional system pegged on subsistence production to that which is profit oriented. Theogen Maniraguha, who was loaned Rwf.500,000 invested in budding flowers for sale and had emerged the third overall this year among the beneficiaries and now employs 7 people in his nursery bed venture. Ends