Bahoneza – Kinyarwanda, Rwanda Welfare, Social Welfare, Rwanda People, Nutrition and Diet, Rwanda Habitat, Living in Kigali

Girinka program in Nyabihu district has taken a bigger step as on the 25^th.July.2012 in Mukamira sector where about 30 cows have been given to the poor and the 1994 genocide against Tutsi survivors; reports Eugene Shingiro the veterinarian in the area.

Among the 30 cows that were given out, 12 are from the poor who were given before who decided to give to their neighbors, 15 of them are from Girinka association and 3 were bought from the money that was given for the support of the 1994 genocide survivors who are poor during the memorial period.

Angela Mukaminani the vice Mayor for finance and economic development in Nyabihu District who attended this function asked those who were given cows to protect them and take good care of them and to give to their neighbors when they reproduce and keep up the process of Girinka Munyarwanda and to use them well and promote their social welfare, fight against poverty and attain development.

Those who were given cows including Ruziga and Munyakabango said that they will do everything possible to protect their cows and to give their neighbors in the future and to use them to get out of poverty and to improve their social lives by eating well by getting manure to boost their farming.

In the last economic year 2012/2013, Nyabihu district gave out 721 cows in Girinka program and they had vowed to give out 500 cows and in this economic year 2012/2013 which started in June.2012, 66 cows have already been given out.

Ever since Girinka program started in 2006 up to May 2012, up to 6789 cows have been donated to vulnerable families in Nyamasheke District.

These cows were donated by fellow residents, district partners, other cows were bought on government budget through Rwanda Agriculture Board (RAB) and some district workers through their annual event “Kubyarana muri batisimu” (baptism).

Felix Sindayiheba, in charge of livestock in Nyamasheke district asserts that residents played a big part whereby 85percent of 6789 cows the cows are from the residents to their fellow residents.

Sindayiheba adds that other groups that participate in Girinka program include FARG (government fund for genocide survivors), Strive foundation, ATEDEC, PFAM, Food for the hungry, SODECO, JADF and Nyamasheke district workers.

The beneficiaries got 50percent fresian or jersey breed and even the minority group were given consideration in this program; whereby 51 homes are beneficiaries.

The beneficiaries were asked to take good care of them through feeding them, giving them clean water for drinking, cleaning the kraals, having kitchen gardens and use manure from them.

Donating cows to the vulnerable residents is one way the district uses in executing the performance contract of improving livestock produce and residents’ development.

A number of 42 cows have been given to 42 people in Nyabihu district including 21 people from Rugera sector and 21 people from Shyira sectors.

Among those who were given cows include the poor who cannot support themselves and the HIV/AIDS positive.

Alexandre Sahunkuye the vice mayor for social affairs in Nyabihu district asked those who were given cows to take good care of them so as to be able to improve their welfare and that of their families.

He reminded them that they will have to give to their neighbours when these cows give birth to rear another reason to why they have to take good care of these cows.

Eugene Shingiro the veterinary doctor in Nyabihu district said that they will make follow ups on these cows but asked those who were given them to take good care of them any providing to them all necessities which would make them productive.

Like vaccinating them, de-worming them, feeding them, providing hygienic kraals and others. People who were given these cows were very happy and appreciated them. They promised to take good care of them so as to be able to get out of poverty they are in using their produce to improve their health and manure for fertilization.