0
0
By Annonciata Byukusenge
In the quiet hills of Rubavu District, a transformation is unfolding, one built on hope, community, and a promise of dignity. For families who once struggled to make ends meet, life in the Rugerero Model Village has become a powerful symbol of change.
When Munganyinka, a resident of the village, first arrived, she could hardly believe it.
“We were settled here by the government because we couldn’t afford proper housing,” she says with a warm smile. “Before, life was very hard. We lived far from schools and health centers. But here, everything is close; we have schools, a clinic, and even a market nearby. We’ve formed groups and started small projects that help us grow together.”
As her colleagues, she remembers the days when her income barely covered rent. Now, with that burden lifted, she can dream bigger.
“The money I used to spend on rent now helps me pay for my children’s education and other projects that improve our lives,” another resident explains proudly.
The Rugerero model village was established by the Rwandan government of Rwanda to provide decent housing and improve the well-being of vulnerable families. But it has become more than just a housing project; it’s a thriving community.
Jean Bosco Uwizeyimana, an official from Rubavu District in charge of monitoring model villages, says the initiative is designed to bring essential infrastructure closer to the people.
“Residents here have access to schools, a health center, an early childhood development center, and a vocational workshop. There’s also a market that encourages small businesses and entrepreneurship,” he explains.
“They even have farmland where they can grow food for their families and a poultry cooperative that helps generate income.”
Today, 142 families call Rugerero Model Village home. They have organized themselves into a cooperative called “Tumufitiye Icyizere,” which means “We Have Faith in Him.” Together, they manage community assets like the poultry project, a nursery school, and the local market.
For these families, the change is not only visible in the new houses that line the village roads but also in their renewed sense of purpose. The village has given them more than shelter; it has given them a future.
As Munganyinka puts it simply. “Here, we live with dignity. We’re no longer just surviving; we’re building our lives.”
