World Vision donates 60 cows to poor families

Gakenke—Vulnerable families in Kivuluga Sector, Gakenke district have received 60 Friesian cows donated by International NGO World Vision-Rwanda, in support of the national cattle stocking programme of One Cow per family. During the hand over ceremony, it emerged that all civil servants from Kivuluga sector also agreed to contribute ten cows which will be donated to poor families in the area. During the same ceremony, Polycarp Nshimirimana, from World Vision, said that over 280 cows worth Rwf158m will be donated to the residents in Gakenke district this year. ‘’The organisation is committed to supporting sustainable development. Over 4000 roofing materials worth Rwf24m, will also be donated towards eradication of thatched houses in the district this year,’’ Nshimirimana promised. Afisa Urayeneze, a genocide survivor, was one of the beneficiaries. ‘’We welcome the much needed support from our donors. I am very sure that this kind of gesture will transform our livelihoods,’’ Urayeneza said. Meanwhile, some Genocide survivors in the area complained that they are yet to be considered for the one cow per family programme. ‘’We have over 188 families of genocide survivors in this sector, majority being widows, but only seven people have so far received the cows over the years, and these were donated by FARG. We hope the new authorities will address our plight,’’ Nizeyimana Issah, representative of Genocide survivors in Kivuluga sector said. However, the district vice mayor, Zephrin Ntakirutimana, said that the district would consider all vulnerable families and intended to give each family one cow. ‘’At least each family now has a decent house; the district is considering all vulnerable families. We hope to give them more support in due course”, Ntakirutimana said. Ends