RDRC donates 182 wheelbarrows to ex-combatants

EASTERN PROVINCE NGOMA/KIREHE — Rwanda Demobilization and Reintegration Commission (RDRC) yesterday donated 182 wheelbarrows to ex-combatants and other residents in Kirehe and Ngoma districts who were also trained in animal husbandry and crop production. The agricultural kits worth Rwf.4,186,000 were handed over to the beneficiaries by Aimable Rwigamba, an official from RDRC, who is in-change of Community Based Reintegration (CBR) projects. The beneficiaries who have been working in various CBR projects were trained by Rwanda Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) jointly with Rwanda Animal Resources Development Authority (RARDA) and Gako Organic Training Centre. 88 wheelbarrows were supplied in Kirehe while 94 others were supplied in Ngoma district. CBR is a Reconstruction Credit Institute support project in effect a German government owned development bank sponsored project that operates under RDRC. It is aimed at poverty eradication in the country with a focus on vulnerable groups, demobilized soldiers and ex-combatants who are keen on starting off small income generating activities. By end this month it is expected that CBR projects that include road construction, land terracing, entrepreneurship management, basket weaving among others are expected to wind up in the eight districts where RDRC operates. The project worth Euros 3, 900, 000 that started in January, 2006 has been employing over 9,000 Rwandans. The RDRC was set up to among other things ensure that all the demobilised soldiers in the country and ex-combatants are economically and socially reintegrated into their communities in the interest of unity and reconciliation. In a related development RDRC also evaluated the roads in Kirehe district that were constructed under CBR. The 18km Cyiyanzi-Bukora-Nyarwamura and 8km Kavuza-Mareba roads were also constructed by demobilised soldiers and other residents in Kirehe district. Ends