About 2000 children in Rusizi district are recorded to have abandoned school in the areas of Bugarama valley in Muganza, Bugarama, Gikundwamvura and Nyakabuye sectors of Rusizi district, to scare away birds from rice gardens in their respective localities.
In Summer, Bugarama rice farmers spend much time and effort in chasing birds destroying rice hence prompting many children to guard rice farms against birds and get money in return.
Some children from Nyakabuye sector have told IGIHE that they receive a monthly payment of Rwf 3000 from farmers.
“A neighbor comes and we negotiate on payments to protect his/her rice field against birds,” says Uwimana Joselyne.
“When rice harvesting draws close, we often carry some gourds and hit them to produce crackle noise that scares birds.We get a monthly payment of Rwf 3000 for the service,” said Bikorimana Samuel.
Some rice farmers say children go to them seeking for the job of scaring away birds while others are sent by their parents.
“When harvesting time draws by, we sometimes miss rice guards. When children come we hire them to protect our rice.They get paid when we harvest. Some of these children are self motivated while others are sent by parents,” said one parent.
The deputy mayor of Rusizi district in charge of social welfare, Nsigaye Emmanuel says that no child should halt attending school to scare away birds from rice gardens.
“We don’t want to see any child abandoning school to protect rice gardens. We want them to become doctors, civil engineers and leaders. Let’s work together to send all children to school regardless of who is the parent,” he said.
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