NYAMASHEKE – Vulnerable residents of Bushekeri, Ruharambuga and Bushenge sectors in Nyamasheke district have received domestic animals donated by well off residents in the district.

The donation which was handed over by district leaders included 181 cows, 200 goats and 148 pigs.

The district Mayor, Jean-Baptiste Habyarimana, told The New Times that residents have started a culture of helping each other emerge out of poverty.

"Many people in Nyamasheke are still very poor. So we are mobilising and sensitising residents who are well off to help the poor improve their living conditions,” he said.

Addressing residents at Ntendezi School of Agriculture and Veterinary, Habyarimana noted that the fight against poverty needs to start from the grassroots.

According to the mayor, part of the donation was handed over by employees at the district. Other vulnerable residents in Rangiro and Kagano sectors have received 76 cows, the mayor disclosed.

The district’s plan, he added, is to have at least each resident own a cow, a goat or a pig as way of fighting poverty.

This is also part of the efforts to foster unity and reconciliation, according to him.

Dativa Nyirahabineza, who was among the beneficiaries, said he was "very happy to have received a big and healthy cow from one of my fellow residents.”

"I am optimistic that this would improve my daily living standards, I will also donate a calf to another poor resident if this one produces.”

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