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

Gerard Habiyambere a man with a wife and 8 children, resident of Hindiro sector in Ngororero District has told Newsmen on 31^st July 2012 that he will give a cow to President Paul Kagame to show his gratitude.

 The man says the President had given him a chance he never had in all of his life when he gave him a cow during his visit to residents of Ngororero district on the 15^th.February.2012.

Habiyambere who had no single animal in his home before he was given by the president now has 3 cows including one that he got from the president and its calf and another one he bought himself after finding out the advantages of rearing cows, 2 sheep and 1 goat.

He followed the advice given by the president speaking on the radio that people should stop living in valleys and live in village settlements so as to get infrastructure services and he got a plot there and with the help of his children and different support build a house in the village settlement.

After being the first one to settle in the village settlement and was had a cow from the president, he got the courage to work hard and he bought another cow, 2 sheep and 1 goat but all is thanks to the president who opened his gate by giving him a chance he had not dreamt of in all his life that is to become a farmer.

Apart from vowing to give the president a cow back, he participates in Girinka program by giving to the neighbors and he goes around sensitizing people to join him in the village settlement so as to get electricity.

The courage he has and his actions got him the favor of his neighbors and he was elected to become the village leader another dream he never had because of his poverty.

People who know him including the administrators of the sector he resides in say that he has plans for a better future and he wants to go with his neighbors along.

Augustin Kampayana, Chairman of Rural Settlement Task Force in the Ministry of Local Government

Ministry of Local Government (MINALOC) has urged district mayors in Western Province to start using roof tiles and bricks in village settlement program.

Augustin Kampayana, Chairman of Rural Settlement Task Force in the Ministry of Local Government during the national meeting on village settlement program asserted that the government has started the program of using roof tiles because iron sheets are expensive and not durable. 

Kampayana emphasizes the use of roof tiles and bricks in village settlement program because they are cheap and available in Rwanda.

Kampayana adds that if roof tiles are made in Rwanda, employment will be created especially for youth in job creation program.

Minaloc official narrates: “Youth, women and girls earn money when they make roof tiles in their cooperatives. In addition, roof tiles are durable, they can be painted for a new look when old and can be reused after shifting to another place.”

“The government of Rwanda plans to reduce on the money on building materials imported like iron sheets since they cannot be used in roofing twice due to nail holes,” he adds.

Augustin Kampayana explains thatching with roof tiles is not a law but a measure taken by the government in order to improve village settlement program using permanent, local and cheap building materials.

It is on the same purpose that every district was given machines that make roof tiles and bricks although there is no soil for such activity in some places like district near Lake Kivu in Western Province.

Kampayana says the above problem should not stop the implementation of the village settlements because materials can be imported if necessary or use wood and roof houses.

The selected constructors from Kanjongo sector in Nyamasheke district are in training on how to make bricks and tiles from sand and cement using machines and this is meant to play a role in quick settling people in settlement villages.

Shaban Mbyayingabo a trainer said that bricks made in this way are harder than usual bricks used in the villages locally known as Rukarara and it can be used after 5 days of being laid. He asked all constructors to come and learn from them about making such bricks which are even cheaper depending on where they are made which is between 28 and 35 francs.

Distributing these bricks and tiles everywhere is an objective in the program of settling people well in settlement villages as Théogène Nkaka a worker in village settlements department in the ministry of Local governments.

Charles Bahizi The vice mayor for finance and economic development in Nyamasheke district asked those who attended this training to follow their lessons attentively so as to make use of it and to care about the machines they are using for them to last a long period of time. To built using these bricks does not necessitate using cement or soil in the putting together bricks as they hold each other by putting them above together.

After this training, the trainees will build an exemplary house which will be given to a vulnerable person in Kanjongo sector. MINALOC has also agreed to support the first 10 people who will show the need to live in this village settlement by giving them sand and cement to make tiles for roofing.

The Eastern Province of Rwanda has launched a campaign that will see all people living in properly planned village settlements, commonly known as Imidugudu.

The campaign kicked off with the launch of a new modern village in Gatore sector, this June 2012, in Kirehe district. The event was attended by the State Minister in charge of Social Affairs, Dr. Alvera Mukabaramba, provincial Governor Odette Uwamariya and Red Cross officials.

Denise Uwera, the head of special programmes at the Province said that at least 85 houses were constructed in the Gatore settlement, with the support of Rwanda Red-cross.

The policy of planned village settlement is a government initiative aimed at ensuring easy rollout of infrastructure facilities like water, energy, health and education to all Rwandans. According to the National Human Settlement Policy, every citizen is expected to settle in planned villages. Reports from the ministry of local government ranked Eastern Province as number one in proper settlement with 87.2%.
Uwera said the people would be settled quickly in safe locations that paves way for “meaningful agricultural activities and the first focus group would be people living in potentially hazardous environment- who urgently need to be relocated to planned villages.

Provincial officials hailed Red Cross for its support in promoting the campaign of eradication of grass thatched houses (commonly known as ‘Nyakatsi’). Officials also said that the implementation level has been on the mark and some areas like, Ngoma district, we have reached a record high percentage of 96.4%.

Protais Murayire, the Mayor of Kirehe district said that issues related to proper housing should be complete in three years time and so far 4 model villages, which accommodate needy people, have been constructed.

In order to improve living standards amongst themselves, residents of Gashorera cell, Nyabinoni sector in Muhanga district formed “Dutureheza” Association.

The aim of the association is to build for fellow members who cannot afford on their own. Dutureheza Association members say they are ready to shift to the village settlement because the association will help them achieve it.

However, some of them face the problem of not having plots in the village settlements, and getting a plot of land in the village is very expensive.

Members claim that plot owners ask for a lot of money or big compensation for their piece of lands.

Leonidas Nkerabigwi, in charge of social affairs and development in Gashorera cell says that measures were taken to solve the problem of residents who demand high amount of money for their lands.

Land was at Rwf50000 before but it was increased to Rwf70000.The plot owner accepts this amount or is given another plot outside the village which is equivalent to his plot.

While the residents are happy about the fair purchase of the land, those who own land in proposed village settlements say that authorities should leave the two parties to reach an agreement.

Out of 40 members of “Dutureheza Association”, only 25 members have no houses in the village settlement and out of 720 homes that make Gashorera cell, 350 homes live outside village settlement.

However, it is hoped that every home will secure a plot in the village within a short period of time.

Some of the residents that refused village settlements have said that they regret it for missing out on electricity program.

Since electricity program reached Ngoma district, every house old or new in remaining sectors gets cash power except for those outside village settlements.

Baribwiyumuhungu, a resident of Kazo sector who recently built a permanent house outside the village settlement, revealed to us that he feels bad about not getting electricity after building a beautiful house.

“Am confused about destroying my new permanent house and build in the village settlement, so that I get electricity,” Baribwiyumuhungu laments.

Eng. Fidele Kayigire, in charge of infrastructure in Ngoma district pointed out that the electricity program will extend to all sectors but specifically to trading centres and to those settling in villages.

Engineer Kayigire notes that village settlement program in eastern province was implemented since 1998 and most residents live in village settlements.

The aim of encouraging residents to settle in villages was to extend infrastructures like electricity, water, hospitals, schools and good roads, explains Eng. Kayigire.

On March 08 2012 during the event to celebrate international women’s day in Ruhasya sector Huye district, Minister Alexis Nzahabananimana asked Ruhasya residents to adopt village settlement to easily access social services.

Alexis Nzahabananimana, minister of infrastructure

Giving milk to the children on women’s day is to remind parents to use family planning and that balanced diet is essential to the health of people more especially children and that food is available, reveals minister Nzahabananimana.

In his speech, Minister Nzahabananimana revealed that it is difficult for community health workers to reach every home because residents’ homes are scattered.

“Here in Ruhasya you are scattered. Settle in the villages where you can easily access health services,” adds minister Nzahabananimana.

The minister asked the Huye district mayor to follow up and know if settling in the villages is being done in Ruhasya sector.

“Live in village settlement, if necessary I will prepare land for you. In village settlement, you will get a good road. We cannot construct a road for each resident, “explains Nzahabananimana

Ruhasya residents are asked to do their part and use the support they are given so that they get services they need.

Les habitants du secteur de Musebeya affirment que, le placement des poteaux d’électricité occasionnant la destruction des arbres de forêt, ont causé des pertes pour ces habitants. Le ministère des infrastructures leur avait promis de les dédommager mais jusqu’à maintenant ces dédommagements sont restés lettre morte.

Ainsi, Hishamunda Robert, habitant de ce secteur, atteste que les cultures et arbres de son champ  ont été détruits par cette installation. En outre, il avait été promis d’être dédommagé mais il n’a reçu aucune compensation financière.

Le maire du district de Nyamagabe, Mugisha Philibert, a déclaré que ce problème est connu de ses services et a assuré que le ministère des infrastructures sera mis au courant afin de palier à ce problème.