Authorities in Musanze District are set to rollout an expanded public works programme aimed at lifting 835 families from abject poverty.

District officials said that the programme will kick off next month by hiring people under the first social stratification (Ubudehe) to clean roads, work in public gardens among others activities for a daily wage.

The beneficiaries were selected from Gacaca and Cyuve, the two sectors with the highest number of poorest families in the district.

Martin Ntirenganya, the Social Protection Officer in Musanze District said the programme was tested in Gataraga, Musanze and Remera sectors where it showed inspiring results.

It benefited some 507 poor families by improving their welfare, he said.

The district has earmarked Rwf100 million to be spent on the programme in the 2018/2019 fiscal year.

"We believe that the programme will improve the living conditions of a number households and transform vulnerable families from the first category of social stratification,” Ntirenganya said.

Each person will be paid a daily wage of between Rwf1,000 and Rwf1, 500. They will work for two hours every day from Monday to Friday. 

"Through the wage that beneficiaries will be given, everyone will be able to cater for the family basic needs like food stuffs, clothes, notebooks for school going students to ensure no child drops out of the school,” Ntirenganya assured

Families that were selected to participate in the programme welcomed the development.

"That programme is awesome as it will lift us from miserable life, we therefore expect an immense change in our living condition,” said Christophe Bizimana, one of the beneficiaries from Gacaca sector.

District official called on the beneficiaries to strive for self-reliance by using the money efficiently.

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