NGO donates cows to women cooperatives

Nyamagabe - A local NGO-Women’s Network for Rural Development, commonly known by its French acronym Reseaux Des Femmes, Thursday, donated 36 cows to women cooperatives in Nyamagabe District during International Women’s Day celebrations, in Musenge Sector Thursday.“I am really happy and promise to take good care of this cow so that I can have more and pass on to other women who have not got the chance to get one today,” said Jane Mukakamugene, one of the beneficiaries. Beata Busasa, the NGO’s National Coordinator, said that the donation was geared towards improving feeding in families.“For this specific project which will be implemented only in this district, we will give out 144 cows at a cost of Rwf 162 million,” Busasa said. She explained that the project also has a training component where women benefit from best livestock rearing practices to help them benefit more from the cows beyond getting milk or meat.“We shall educate women on how they can get or make fertilisers from animal waste. This will automatically improve on the farm yields,” she said.The event that was presided over by the Southern Province Governor, Alphonse Munyentwari, and attracted representatives from various local NGOs, private and public institutions.The Governor reminded the public, women in particular, of their expected role towards national development.“We can never underestimate the role of women in any society, but more efforts are needed to aim even higher in whatever they engage in,” he said.He called upon women to actively take part in the activities to be carried out during the girl and woman month.During the month, women will be sensitised on their rights, responsibility and hygiene, among others.