People in different groups of the poor, those living with HIV/AIDS and the 1994 genocide against Tutsi survivors in Kamembe Mururu, Gihundwe, Giheke and Nkanka sectors in Rusizi district say that they are in the journey of becoming farmers.

They said this after being given 45 cows by Mission of Hope Rwanda (MOHR) Project on the support of Global Fund to get these people out of poverty as these cows will ensure their development.

Bertha Nyirabihizi a resident of Giheke sector and her fellows who were also given cows said that they will protect and take care of these cows and fight poverty when they are able to promote themselves and they will manage because they were trained about it.

For them it is like a dream come true as they are no longer called the poor but farmers and they are hopeful that they will never be affected by poor eating and their families will be free of malnutrition and they will able to pay their contribution for Mutuelle de santé medical insurance. And they will give their neighbours once these cows reproduce.

According to Scovia NARAME the coordinator of Mission of Hope Rwanda, In Rusizi district said that these cows will be of much importance to these people and their neighbours. The district and sector leaders were asked to make a follow up on these cows and how they are taken care of by the groups they were given.

Oscar Niyonsaba the veterinary doctor of Rusizi district asked those who were given cows to take good care of them as they will take them from one level to the other and he said that with the help of veterinary doctors in sectors, they will keep a close watch on these cows and they were warned about using the normal bulls for reproduction as they give no production.

Apart from giving cows to people, Mission of Rwanda Gave to every group 1.8 million francs to take care of these cows by buying medicine and all necessities while taking care of those cows.

Hope for Living organisation funded by Global fund has given pigs and goats to the cooperatives of the vulnerable people living with HIV/AIDS from four sectors in Gakenke district.

Hope for living coordinator and Gakenke district workers

During the meeting to reveal the achievements and future prospects held on February 27th 2012, Hope for Living disclosed that 150 goats and 40 pigs were given to cooperatives of people living with HIV /AIDS by the end of last year.

Hope for the living plans to continue giving live stock to the cooperatives in the second phase beginning with March 2012.

The cooperatives that received cows have opted for consolidated live stock keeping in order promoting the culture of working under cooperatives.

However, consolidated farming posed a problem to the goats which has made some beneficiaries relax as far as caring for goats is concerned. As a result some goats do not look healthy.

Hope for living trained 10 health workers that sensitised 1500 people on the advantages of circumcising and family planning as per the contract they had with Hope for Living.

Hope for living works in four sectors; Mataba, Mugunga, Minazi and Muyongwe of Gakenke district from 2011.