As the vibrant colors of Umuganura Day filled the air, the communities of Karwiru and Kadusenyi in the Green Villages of Hope came together for a celebration that highlighted the promise of a sustainable future. Although traditionally observed on the 1st of August, this year's festivities took place on the 2nd, underscoring the importance of adapting traditions to create lasting change.
As we are known for our relentless efforts in community development and sustainability, marked this year's Umuganura Day by inaugurating newly constructed water boreholes in both Green Villages of Hope sponsored by Suyana Foundation. This initiative represents a significant milestone in the Suyana Foundation and Dufatanye Organization's commitment to providing clean and safe water, a fundamental resource for health and development.
The inauguration of the water boreholes brought a wave of relief and joy to the residents, who had long struggled with access to clean water. Nyiramana Cecile, the Isibo leader of Indemyabigwi at Kadusenyi Green Village of Hope, spoke passionately about the impact of this project: “They used to go far away to look for water from the stream, which was very bad. Most of the time, we were at the hospital because of the sickness we were getting from using that water. When Dufatanye and Suyana came, we told them that we have a problem with water. This water is an answer to everyone, even passengers who pass here, not only for us. The name I give this borehole is ‘Icyerekezo’ (Vision).”
By providing reliable access to clean water, we are helping to reduce waterborne diseases, improve public health, and foster a sense of community well-being.
In addition to the water project, we have been instrumental in empowering local residents with the knowledge and skills needed for sustainable agriculture. Nyiramana highlighted how these efforts have transformed their way of life: “What I also thank Dufatanye Organization is that I didn’t know how to cultivate vegetables. We knew that they come from sorghum and elsewhere, and in a few days, you can’t find them. But now, even if you come to my house or in the Isibo I lead, we have vegetables and so on. Now it is going to be easy to water those vegetables and fruits. They come from Nyanza without us paying anything to come to train us, for example like making organic fertilizers and compost. Thank you, Dufatanye Organization.”
This initiative not only ensures food security but also promotes environmental sustainability by teaching residents to use organic fertilizers and composting techniques and so on ……., thereby reducing reliance on chemical inputs and reduce the money they spend on them.
The Umuganura Day celebration also included an award ceremony where we honored the best Isibo and Isibo leaders for their outstanding contributions to community development. This recognition serves as an inspiration to others, encouraging collective action towards sustainability and progress.
Karema Godfrey, the Founder and CEO of Dufatanye Organization, emphasized the importance of community involvement and sustainable practices in his address: “I appreciate the leadership of the sector and Nyanza District because they are the ones who guided us when we came to work here. As you can see, as this parent Nyiramana mentioned, we are not the ones doing it alone; there are others we learn from. First, we started by educating people, giving them livestock, building them kitchen gardens, and you have also seen the banana plants. We give them seeds to fight malnutrition.”
Godfrey stressed the need for residents to take ownership of these initiatives, highlighting the critical role of local committees in managing resources effectively: “We have provided the water, and it is up to you to maintain it. Set up a committee to manage and take good care of it so that we do not run out of water, especially now that we need it. We have many projects: we are currently building toilets for residents who did not have them, and providing a water tank for each household will also come soon! Additionally, in a few days, we will be relocating to Nyamiseke Village. In the meantime, live well, prosper wherever you are, and give thanks to God.”
Niwemwana Immaculee, the Executive Secretary of Rwabicuma Sector, urged the community to embrace responsibility and diligence in safeguarding their resources: “Let us work diligently to progress, and I thank the partner who provided us with this water. I know this road and the water you used to fetch from the river, which was not good at all, and you had to step into the water to fetch it. I hope you have all understood what you have learned. I also ask you to take care of it; everyone has a responsibility to protect this water source. If the water problem is solved, you will have time to do other things.”
She emphasized the importance of household planning and taking ownership of development projects; “Let us start by focusing on our homes so that when other projects, like the water tank, come, they will have a place to be installed. Let us learn to do household planning. As long as you do not take ownership of something, you will not see its value! Let us avoid laziness, negligence, and carelessness, and instead come back to praise the usefulness of what has been done for you. Do not let them be destroyed in front of your eyes; let us continue to work diligently and move forward!”
As the Umuganura Day celebrations drew to a close, the spirit of unity and hope was palpable. The day's events were not just a celebration of harvest but a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when communities come together with a shared vision for a sustainable and prosperous future.
Our efforts in the Green Villages of Hope are a testament to the transformative power of sustainable development. As the sun set over Nyanza District, it illuminated a community empowered and inspired, ready to embrace the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow with resilience and hope.
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