It was in 2021, in the sector of Mwili, Kayonza district, the population is coming out of confinement. They are impoverished by the health crisis. Natural disasters have not spared them as a result of climate change. The Rwandan Red Cross (RRC) comes to express its solidarity with the victims.
A ringing sound on a mobile phone, then another, several almost at the same time are heard. All eyes are fixed on the screens. Faces glow with joy. Some do not hide their smiles. The long-awaited message has arrived. It is a money transfer. 150,000 Rwandan francs were added to a first instalment of 30,000 Rwandan francs. Less than a year later, the fruits are already being harvested.
The results are encouraging
Pétronille Iribagiza of the Nyawera cell, Ryakibanda village, has equipped herself. A sewing machine and an iron help her to earn her daily bread. The rural areas are well served with electricity. She also applied for a small loan from a tontine. She bought several loincloths. Now she sells them and sews them for customers who want them.
“I have eight children, three of whom are orphans. They all go to school. I regularly pay 30,000 francs into a tontine. And after all the expenses, I put aside 20,000 frws each month for the bad days,” she confided to the newspaper Le Canapé.
In Nyakagarama village, Shyogo cell, Nyamirama sector, also in Kayonza district, Dative Mujyawamariya runs a chicken coop. She raises broiler chickens. During this month of April, she expects to earn 500,000 Rwandan francs. She has come a long way.
“I used to run a chicken coop long before. During the health crisis I ran out of customers. Then a disease attacked my chickens. 400 of them died. Miraculously, CRR knocked on my door. She carried a grant of 180,000 FRWs,” she says gratefully.
With this money, Dative Mujyawamariya started her farm again. She first sold 50 of them, with revenues amounting to FRWs 350,000. She bought 300 chicks. 200 were resold to find the means to feed the remaining 100 well. She is preparing to sell her 100 chickens at 5000 FRWs each.
Jacqueline Mukabigirimana lives in Kabarondo sector, Kinzovu cell, Minini village. She runs a small food business. She had gone bankrupt because of the health crisis. She was able to reinvest the 180,000 received from the RRC.
Elizabeth Mukansengiyumva lives in the same village as Jacqueline. She opted to buy a calf. The calf has just been artificially inseminated. In nine months’ time, her children will be able to drink milk. In the meantime, she uses manure for her crops.
A money transfer for new beneficiaries
The Rwandan Red Cross (RRC), motivated by the results of previous operations, carried out cash transfers simultaneously in several sites in the Eastern Province on 28 March.
According to Emmanuel Mazimpaka, Director of Communication and Humanitarian Diplomacy, 4 different districts of the Eastern Province were targeted. 913 beneficiaries were served in the districts of Kirehe, Ngoma, Kayonza and Nyagatare.
A total of 164.34 million was shared among different people. They were selected by the grassroots in collaboration with local RRC volunteers. 8 cooperatives, two per district, received a total support of FRWs 20 million. The RRC distributed a total of FRW 184.34 million.
The RRC carried out this operation with the support of the Belgian Red Cross, through the BAHIA project.
Emmanuel Mazimpaka, on behalf of this humanitarian organization, auxiliary of the State, expresses his gratitude to the decentralized authorities and volunteers for their efficient collaboration. The RRC continues to request the intervention of all parties to improve the living conditions of the beneficiaries.
Gérard Rugambwa
