Founded in 1950, World Vision is one of the largest international Christian organizations for emergency humanitarian aid and long term development body. It helps each year more than 100 million people in the fight against poverty, hunger and injustice in nearly 100 countries and supports over 15 million children. World Vision Rwanda / Kigali Cluster, like many other branches of the organization, is involved particularly in protecting the rights of children through various programs related to education, health, the fight against malnutrition, capacity building of health promoters and the construction of infrastructure for all these aforementioned activities, such as building schools or health posts. In Gasabo District, Rusororo Sector, World Vision has enhanced a partnership with the local people who, for some, came together in cooperatives for greater efficiency in the fight against poverty, as defined in national programs in this field, the EDPRSII. On the occasion of an agriculture-show organized at Rugende Centre at the beginning of July 2016, independent farmers exhibited their success stories and voices were raised to describe how World Vision / Kigali cluster builds their capacity of increasing agriculture production through trainings, coaching, study visits, material support and provision of high productive seeds and living animals. The exhibition was organized for small farmers to learn from model farmers that were able to change their socio-economic status through application of improved farming techniques. More than three hundred small holders participated in the exhibition and borrowed best practices to improve their agricultural production. On the same occasion, prizes of excellence were awarded to the most successful independent agri-farmers and agricultural and craft cooperatives.

Some prominent success stories

1. Murigo Elia,
a breeder of Mbandazi cell is currently satisfied with the results achieved by his breeding that has developed in recent post-genocide years, but at the same time, he expresses its appreciation to World Vision for its training and his advices. If he can produce energy from biogas, he thanked World Vision for having trained him in this field, and allowed him to share his experience with other local breeders. His current breeding activities help Murigo paying school fees for his children, two of which have already completed their undergraduate studies at University and others are still trying their best to finish them. He sells milk from his own cows.

2.Mukankusi Christine,
a trader at Kabuga urban center in Rusororo Sector said she got the idea to practice farming in 2001. ” I got one cow. It has been going through a series of artificial insemination to improve the milk productivity. So far, I’m doing my best with two dairy cows”, Mukankusi said. Mukankusi says she is in good relationship with her neighbors because she provides milk to their children, and she has developed great friendship with customers to whom she supplies with milk. Her gratitude goes to World Vision largely based on the fact that the NGO facilitated a study tour that led her to the Enterprise “Urwibutso owned by SINA Gerard” and she took lessons on raising pigs. Up to now, she has twenty four pigs and a big space of the banana plantation. The support of World Vision is highly appreciated especially in the sector of environmental protection because admits Mukankusi, the use of biogas she now uses for cooking meals made possible to not use of firewood and, therefore, the limiting carbon emissions. He concludes by stating that she maintains good ties with World Vision who helped her acquire a family stability on all fronts.ought a car and a motorcycle and a land ownership. Murigo built a water supply plant at home and provides employment to nearly twenty workers locally recruited.

3.Mbabazi Epiphany of Bisenga cell is very active in agriculture sector.

She developed the cultivation of bananas and beans. Her success and bravery earned her the trust and esteem of her fellow farmers who selected her as their representative on cell level. Mbabazi appreciates World Vision’s intervention especially in the distribution of fertilizers that farmers mix up with organic fertilizers for increased productivity. She admits with pride “World Vision enabled me to get out of loneliness, and all my current agricultural activities are based on modern knowledge rather than rough and archaic practices.”

4.Coopérative Umuco

The Cooperative Umuco composed of 37 members, mostly women, managed to transform their lives from an artistic production based on tanning tables and maps in sisal raw material. The cooperative manufactures loincloth bags, table mats and sub glass, tablecloths for tables and for bedsheets etc. After observing that its products were not easily sold on the market, the Cooperative found better to partner with World Vision. With World Vision support, it obtained 20 tables and 400 chairs.These equipment helped in the Exposition Room and other ceremonies organized by the UMUCO Cooperative. Members of the cooperatives also created a VSLA (Village Saving and Loan Association) through which they get small loans to run other small businesses and solve family issues at a low interest rate : 5%. The 5.000.000 francs cooperative fund is generating monthly roughly 100.000 francs wich are distributed among members at the end of the year. Mukarutamu Phina, the Chairperson of the UMUCO cooperative said that soon, the cooperative will get a piece of land where it plans to build its main headquarter and office.

5.Village Saving and Loan Associations (VSLA)

A Village Saving and Loan Association(VSLA) is a group of people who save together, and then take small loans from those savings on flexible terms, for investment, consumption, and emergency purposes. This initiative was adopted by the members of Abunzubumwe cooperative, as well as other farmers in Rusororo sector. With an interest rate agreed upon by all members, each member of the group wishes to get a three months loan from the VSLA. The loan amount cannot exceed three times of the deposits of the applicant, and is given publically in general meeting that gather all members on weekly basis. This VSLA modelis operational in all cell of Rusororo sector with 42 groups currently trained and monitored by twelve village agents that were trained with support of World Vision/Kigali. According to Musindikazi Leonille, President of the saving group, , World Vision / Kigali Cluster was of great importance in empowering them to meet their family basic need. ”The membership to the saving group and acquisition of loans allow the beneficiaries to develop their small businesses and fight against poverty as advocated by the Rwandan government.” Having recently shared 3,400,000 RWF among its members with a reserve of 130 800 RWF, the cooperative plans to buy a plot and a mill.

6.Other Various activities supported by World Vision / Kigali Cluster

Various small agricultural and livestock projects are in one way or another supported by World Vision in Gasabo District, Rusororo sector such as beekeeping, raising pigs and goats and growing tomatoes and other vegetables.

World Vision / Kigali Cluster, also provides equipment used in agriculture and livestock such as wheelbarrows, watering cans or spray container for livestock.

In his remarks, the Executive Secretary of Rusororo sector, Akimana Tebuka Faustin said, “World Vision is one of our best partners because he takes into account the realities and priorities on ground”.

“World Vision recognizes the country’s government programs and in particular address the poor by targeting the welfare of their children,” said the Executive Secretary. According to him, ”the agri-show ‘s objective was to give awards to 200 over 520 farmers and 50 over 115 breeders who have been exemplary compared to others”.

In his speech, Ntaganzwa Jean Marie Vianney, Director of Administration in Gasabo district said, “the economy of the district is based on agriculture and livestock, so we need to achieve food self-sufficiency before engaging the rest of the market.” Ntaganzwa promised district support for farmers and advocacy to create small processing units. World Vision is expanding its activities in Kicukiro District and much of Rulindo District, and the success of parents in their local development projects have an immediate impact on the education and health of their children.

Jean Louis Kagahe