In my community, there are many vulnerable people who have really already lost their hope because of rampant poverty in this area. I explored how the women and children are the ones who suffer more compared to other community members.

The idea of a piggery farming project at Kimiduha village was initiated and supported by a community that reflects its agricultural activities. These activities obviously require a seasonal addition of manure in order to cultivate the land due to infertile soil types. Therefore, those who cannot afford manure see poor results in quality and quantity at harvest time. This usually causes a direct impact to food supply for families resulting in malnutrition. The piggery rearing project will both generate financial income and increase health status for poor families through fertilizing cultivated land and kitchen gardens as well as the sale of adults pigs for meat (and piglets for others who want to rear pigs). This project is first going to start with 100 community members most in need of help, and it will expand to others. By giving piglets to fellow community members, the project is expected to reach approximately 300 community members within one year. Referring to community will and suggestions regarding the project sustainability plan, the community has elected a committee to be in charge of monitoring, evaluating and producing a weekly report regarding the status of the pigs as well as other related issues.

Challenges

The community members describe the problems faced by women and children in our rural area of Kimiduha in the eastern part of Rwanda: the challenges of poverty caused by infertile soil, malnutrition, stunted growth of children, few income opportunities, and low graduation rates due to insufficient education standards. Indeed, community members are now seeing the value of the project and are feeling hope for their futures.

Objective of the Project

According to the different problems mentioned by the community members, this project has different objectives as mentioned below:

Increase manure production by each household within 2 months
Fight malnutrition through planting fertilized kitchen gardens by using manure after 1 month

Amplify income level per household through selling pigs, piglets and manure within the first 5 months

A revenue-generating activity that can allow community members to have other financial resources will engage the women in other economic activities.

(WE Rwanda) Promoting Rural Women's Economic Empowerment

Through Piggery Farming Project

Team Members