By Leizl Eykelhof
The community built a safe space for their children, but it needed a little attention and a helping hand
“Termites wanted to take over!” says Pacifique Mahirwe, ForAfrika’s projects co-ordinator in Rwanda
He was at the Ubuzima Bwiza Early Childhood Development centre, showing off the recently renovated building.
The centre lies high in the hills, quite a way out of the capital city of Kigali. The road to get there is treacherous, but the drive is breathtakingly beautiful. There are green hills, valleys and blue skies as far as the eye can see.
“We repaired, replastered and painted,” Pacifique says, while also pointing to a selection of wooden toys and games he handpicked from local artisans.
The building now has bright turquoise window sills and green shutters. The clay roof tiles are secure. The floors are covered in bright, patterned mats and a colourful teepee stands in a corner. A hand-made alphabet hangs against the far wall. The room is welcoming and cosy.
Additionally, the yard boasts beautiful vegetable gardens in towering containers. Community members have also formed a village savings and loans association.
Caregiver, Domina Mubandakazi, 62, is overjoyed with the results.
“We started in difficult conditions with an unsafe space, house and environment. Since last year, when ForAfrika came to us, things have changed,” she says.
“We are learning new skills, like how to stimulate the children and grow our own food. ForAfrika also did a great thing by uniting parents into saving groups. Now we can save money and give small loans to those who need it. The savings help us to afford the sugar and porridge to feed the children when they are our centre.”
The children show their appreciation through song, dance and plenty of smiles.
ForAfrika is working with parents, caregivers and community leaders in Rwanda’s most vulnerable areas to improve education and nutrition. Despite the country’s rapid economic growth, pockets of poverty exist.
“I want to give a brighter future to anyone I help in the community. When I see the transformation from vulnerable to self-reliant, when I see the hopeless person become a happy person, it brings joy back to my heart,” says Pacifique.
“My goal is to give all my time to the community by finding out what it needs and responding on time.”
Leizl Eykelhof is Content Manager at ForAfrika