The Government has launched a historical web site that archives and documents the past, present and the future events in the country.Rwandapedia breaks new ground by collecting into one place the documents, images, videos and audio recordings that together tell the story of Rwanda’s development. Funded by the African Development Bank, the project showcases advances across the social, economic and governance sectors as well as key cultural and historical events in Rwanda.Free access worldwideIt also grants one an opportunity to learn about the policies and programmes that have contributed to Rwanda’s development, view photos dating back almost a century and watch the latest videos on Rwanda’s Home Grown Solutions–a set of development programmes inspired by traditional culture and practice.Rwandapedia is an open platform where anyone anywhere around the world can instantly access free accurate and up-to-date information.A team of researchers will constantly update the archive to bring you the latest statistics, interviews, photos, videos and audio recordings from across Rwanda.The web site contains all the data across the sectors of the economy including agriculture, trade and industry, culture and the historical progress of the country.Foreign Affairs minister and Government spokesperson Louise Mushikiwabo said the web site, www.rwandapedia.rw, is an incredible project that enables showcasing the country’s history, culture and progress.“This is an incredible depository,” Mushikiwabo said, noting that technology has made it easy for government to achieve its obligation of driving its citizens towards prosperity.“Rwandapidia is now a means by which Rwandans can learn and share our history because the website is Rwanda developed, managed and owned,” she said.Mushikiwabo added that there is also the need to set up another website documenting the country’s history pre 1994.A tool for all sectorsAndrew Kagabo, the Girinka programme national co-coordinator, said the web site is tool where all sectors of the economy can post and share information with the rest of the world in enriching governments programmes towards economic growth.The Girinka programme, also known as the one-cow per family project is one of the successful home grown solutions that has not only helped eliminate malnutrition, but also created wealth for families. Proceeds from the cow have elevated the living standards of numerous Rwandan families. In a period of only five years (2006-2011), more than one million Rwandans were lifted out of poverty.Rwandapedia caries–in detail–the Girinka story in addition to the many other home grown solutions and programmes that contributed to the country’s remarkable growth. Rwanda registered an average 8 percent growth rate and targets 11.5 per centgrowth over the next five years.The web site is one of the few sources of information on Rwandan that researchers, planners, journalists, policy makers and the general public can tap into for reliable data.
