Rwanda project profile

Kabuga ADP

Education
More than three quarters of children attend primary schools, which are bursting at the seams. There are no government secondary schools in Kabuga. Schools lack water and sanitation facilities, there aren’t enough teaching materials and teachers are poorly trained. Many students drop out and only one third of children pass primary school exams.

World Vision improves the quality of education and academic performance by holding refresher-training courses for teachers, providing teaching materials and constructing classrooms, latrines and water tanks. It raises awareness of the importance of education. World Vision also provides vocational education for teenagers.

HIV and AIDS
The rate of HIV and AIDS in Kabuga is high. Many children have been orphaned and made vulnerable by the effects of HIV and AIDS. Some children who have lost parents have sole responsibility for their siblings. Families affected by HIV and AIDS are subject to stigma and discrimination and knowledge of HIV prevention is limited.

Kabuga ADP raises awareness of HIV and AIDS prevention and care. It establishes community care coalitions and trains these groups and other home visitors to support children and families affected by HIV and AIDS.

Health
There are no health centres in the area. Respiratory infections are common as are malaria, worms and water-borne diseases. A government communal health association provides healthcare for a small annual fee, but only 35 per cent of Kabuga’s population is enrolled.

There are only three communal taps in the area, so people have to walk long distances to seasonal streams and springs or spend a lot of money buying water.

Kabuga ADP helps people register with the health association. It educates the community about hygiene, using clean water and preventing illness and increases access to safe water.

Agriculture and nutrition
The majority of families in Kabuga depend on traditional mixed agriculture for their livelihoods. A few keep cows, goats, sheep and pigs. Maize, cassava, beans, bananas, cabbages, sweet potatoes, sorghum, soya beans and peanuts are grown for food. Cash crops include coffee, tomatoes and sunflowers. Soils are eroded and infertile and farm sizes small, leading to small harvests that do not meet families’ need for food; malnutrition is common.

To increase harvests, World Vision trains farmers in modern methods of agriculture, soil conservation and erosion prevention. It also establishes nutritional recovery programmes for malnourished children and teaches parents to grow and cook vegetables.

Community leadership
Lots of community-based organisations exist in Kabuga. World Vision works with them and an overall community development committee to plan development activities. It provides training in finance, leadership and project management. The ADP also educates community members about child rights and disaster mitigation and promotes healing and reconciliation.

Faith
There are a number of different Christian churches active in Kabuga as well as a Muslim fellowship. World Vision supports faith organisations in their activities to bring reconciliation and justice to the Kabuga community.

Sustainable development
World Vision started Kabuga ADP in September 2007, and is working with the community to enhance ongoing development. Progress is evaluated every four years, and when the community reaches its goals World Vision will begin to reduce its support, allowing the community to direct its own development..