Author: Serge Iradukunda

Nyagatare District stands out with its vast and fertile landscapes, boasting larger villages and cells compared to others across the country. A short drive from Nyagatare town leads to Karangazi Sector, Ndama Cell, the home of Rwabiharamba Model Village, where 120 families relocated from Akayange village to pave the way for modern agriculture and animal husbandry.

The ambitious ‘Gabiro Agribusiness Hub’ project, spanning 16,000 hectares in Karangazi and Rwimiyaga sectors, aims to transform the lives of those residing in Akayange and Shimwa Paul villages. With 120 houses in Akayange and 72 in Shimwa Paul, this initiative embodies a modern approach, providing families with four-in-one structures. Each household receives a three-room house with a sitting room, inclusive of a bathroom and toilet, an outdoor kitchen, as well as access to water and electricity.

Strategically located near essential infrastructure like schools and clinics, these villages bring a sense of fulfilment to the residents. Furaha Godfrey, the head of a family with nine children, expresses gratitude for the transformative change, emphasizing the previous challenges of inadequate water, distant schools, and an overall lack of development prospects. Furaha praises the government for bringing relief and ensuring their safety, especially during inclement weather.

Similarly, Jane Mbabazi highlights the significant shift from relying on dam water, sometimes clean and sometimes muddy, to having clean water at their doorstep. She acknowledges the positive impact on education, health, and overall progress, attributing it to the vision of President Paul Kagame.

Didace Bataringaya, a resident of Akayange Model Village, recounts the stark contrast of their previous life, marked by poor conditions and a lack of basic infrastructure. The moment he received the keys to his new house, Bataringaya couldn’t believe the reality of the situation. His joy is palpable as he describes sleeping on the floor of his new home, a stark departure from the challenges they faced before.

Mayor Stephen Gasana emphasizes the significance of relocating families for the Gabiro Agribusiness Hub project, which not only aims for agricultural development but also ensures decent living conditions for the relocated families. Gasana encourages residents to capitalize on the available infrastructure and opportunities for a better life.

Emmanuel Ahabwe, Head of Department for Social and Affordable Housing Development at Rwanda Housing Authority, underscores the importance of the model villages in providing decent shelters and fostering agricultural development. He stresses the need for responsible land use to prevent encroachment on areas designated for other vital activities.

Rwanda Housing Authority urges village residents to cherish and maintain their homes and infrastructure. A total of 253 villages, accommodating over 30,000 families, have been built, with plans for 3,000 rural villages nationwide, each offering prepared sites for comfortable living.

The success stories from Rwabiharamba, Akayange, and Shimwa Paul serve as beacons of hope, illustrating the transformative power of integrated development model villages in shaping brighter futures for their residents.

It takes no more than five minutes by car or motorcycle from Musanze City to reach the state-of-the-art craft center built for artisans who previously operated near the city’s bus station.

This craft center, which accommodates over 700 people, mainly carpenters, is one of the projects funded by the Belgian Development Agency, Enabel. The center is modernly constructed, with separate sections for carpenters, metalworkers, and display and sales areas.

The Director of the Musanze Craft Center, Ndayambaje Deogratias, told IGIHE that their operations changed from January 15, 2022, when they moved to a spacious, beautiful location where they can also benefit from collective learning.

He said, “Comparing where we used to work and where we are today, there is a vast difference in size and appearance. Engaging in craftsmanship involves continuous learning, observing the innovations of others, and trying to create new things in your work. This is different from our previous situation where we were very few, as craftsmen were scattered all over Musanze City.”

Nyirasafari Sawiya, who sells timber at the craft center, entered the business after realizing that selling clothes had become overly common. She decided to venture into the craft center.

She told IGIHE that she sells no fewer than two thousand pieces of timber per month, each priced between 2500 and 3500 Frw.

She said, “Many things we need come from timber, and there is never a time when it’s not needed. This is the central point for all timber, making it quicker to access than in the city, which was congested. Today, this place is spacious and accommodates many people from nearly all the sectors of the district.”

The craft center also serves as a training ground for the youth, enabling them to develop skills for self-improvement through various crafts and trades.

On the other hand, another group of young people gathers in the Muhoza Sector at the Youth Center, also built with Enabel’s support, where they gain knowledge and skills in technology, entrepreneurship, and job hunting.

Mwamarakiza Martin, who now provides technology services in Musanze City, told IGIHE that the knowledge he gained from the youth center in the district enabled him to become an entrepreneur and employ his peers.

He said, “I had just left school in Butare and felt like a student who hadn’t reached the level of doing things to sell. But here, they were a good example of how I could start my own project, how to procure things and sell them, especially as technology involves mostly using your brain and buying a few tools to achieve what you want.”

The Mayor of Musanze District, Nsengimana Claudien, told IGIHE that the projects developed in partnership with Enabel are helping residents, particularly the youth, to conduct research and advance themselves.

He said, “They helped us build the youth center where they gather and the equipment within that building, enabling them to conduct research and enhance their knowledge because it is a center equipped with modern technology and tools. It helps the youth in conducting research, such as farmers finding modern farming methods, students enhancing their education quality, and various groups benefiting from the center.”

Mayor Nsengimana stated that the Musanze Craft Center plays a role in boosting the economy of the residents as it accommodates over 700 workers.

“Their families are sustained because of the income generated from the work they do there, and it continues to help various people create jobs.”

The Youth Center cost 1.7 billion Frw to build, while the craft center cost 1.5 billion Frw.

Currently, the Musanze Youth Center receives around 600 visitors seeking job opportunities and entrepreneurship training, 700 monthly visitors seeking reproductive health services, 500 monthly visitors using computers, and approximately 9,000 participants in sports and recreational activities.