Vulnerable residents from Gatsibo and Nyagatare districts have commended support given to them by Food for The Hungry (FH) – a Christian humanitarian organization providing life-changing development programs to end all forms of human poverty that has improved their livelihoods and health.

Last week, Mark Viso, the President, and CEO of FH visited the achievements of the projects funded by FH in Nyagihanga sector, Gatsibo district and Gatonde sector in Nyagatare district.

Jean Claude Nsabimana, the Head of Tuzamurane Muvumvu group of 32 members doing beekeeping in Gatsibo district said: "We were doing apiculture in a traditional way. Food for The Hungry trained us and facilitated a study tour to learn more about apiculture. It also gave us 20 modern beehives and necessary equipment. From the revenues we bought 55 modern beehives. We expanded business to another land where we installed 20 modern beehives.

"In the next two years, we target to have 500 modern beehives from the current 75 hives,” he said.

Anastase Ntamuhanga, from Gatsibo district was supported by FH to become a model farmer.

"FH trained us on modern farming of banana crops to improve production. I could harvest between 15 and 20 Kilogrammes per banana tree and the production has increased to between 70 and 80 Kilogrammes,” he said.

FH and Gatsibo district also launched a maternity ward at Nyagihanga Health Centre.

Jean Marie Vianney Muhizi, the head of Nyagihanga health centre in Gatsibo district said: " We had a small maternity ward that could serve only one mother giving birth. Now the new maternity ward can serve a big number of mothers,” he said.

Jean Paul Hajabakiga, the leader of a welding youth group comprising 25 youth in Nyagatare district that started in 2022 after six-month training under the support of Food for The Hungry.

"We got Rwf3 million welding equipment from the FH. We want to buy our own land where we will build a house where we will be doing welding,” he said.

Aline Musabyemariya, the representative of Tuzamurane group with 30 members in Nyagatare got support to do small business in a mini-market constructed by FH-Rwanda in Gatonde sector.

"FH helped us to go for a study tour in Muhanga district. We make meat from soybean,” she said.

Josephine Nyirabazungu, the leader of Korawigire group that is doing tailoring under the support of FH-Rwanda said: "FH trained AND gave us tailoring machines. We produce clothes and bags,” she said.

Gaudance Uzamukunda, a resident from Gatonde sector Nyagatare district lauded FH over clean water supply.

"Clean water supply has saved our children from water-borne diseases due to lack of clean water.,” she said.

A glance at project achievements in Nyagatare

FH started operating in Gatunda sector of Nyagatare district in 2014.

At least 3567 children were registered and 2,776 sponsored.

At least 8,764 community members were trained on saving while 6,856 households were supported with livestock as 137 members of 8 Youth groups were trained and equipped with start-up kits, (saloon, welding, tailoring, shoe making kits).

Reports show that 8,619 community members were trained on different agricultural and livelihood practices while three mini-markets have been constructed.

FH says 32 classrooms, with 42 latrines and 29 water tanks have been constructed and equipped with 1,440 school desks.

At least 17 water points (with 54km) were constructed which helped 3,452 households to get access to safe and clean water.

Achievements in Gatsibo district

More than 6,000 were reached by FH agricultural extension services which increased crop yield by 65.3 per cent while 161 youth were equipped with vocational/technical &entrepreneurship skills.

Over 24 of classrooms were constructed equipped with 2,885 school desks & 30 school pit latrines.

This reduced classroom overcrowding where the number of students per classroom was reduced from 80 to 45 students and students reduced from 5 to 3 students per desk).

School dropout rate reduced from 43% to 15%.

At least 5,000 families were given nutrition messages to reduce malnutrition.

FH constructed 22 communal water points and 90% of households have access to safe and clean water.

Marceline Mukamana, the Vice Mayor in charge of social affairs in Gatsibo district commended FH interventions.

"Food for the Hungry is our key partner that supports us in various sectors. FH interventions looked at social and economic development, education and others,” she said.

Pesheya Vilakati, the FH Africa Region Director said: "I would say that the experience of what's being done here on the ground, assured me that we are doing a great job, I saw a lot of interventions that are being implemented in the communities, I heard success stories about the impacts of what they do, and I am much convinced that we are contributing a lot to supplement efforts of other stakeholders including the government, and I am very convinced that we are on the right track in ending poverty in the communities we are operating from.”