I am Rwandan and I live in Nyamasheke District, Kanjongo Sector. I have worked in World Relief Rwanda (Child Survival Program UMUCYO) for 2 years. I have also worked in the One Acre Fund program (TUBURA) for 2 years as a senior field manager and 3 years as a field director. I have worked for 9 years in African communities for sustainable development as a field manager in 4 districts of Rwanda. I have also been a director of EAI (English in Action International) for 4 years, and I was the coordinator for a family development project for two years.
My district has the highest number of malnourished and underweight children in the entire country, with high rates of poverty, hunger, family conflicts, alcoholism, and other issues. Sadly, we have also been adversely affected by floods and landslides which have displaced many impoverished families. There are also many street children and orphans with complex needs.
I first learned the permagardens method after Nancy Strachan sent me the manual and Emmanuel Manirarora trained me in-person in 2023. After a conversation with Nancy Strachan, and with financial support from Canadian and U.S. donors, we committed to do the following:
- Help communities reduce malnutrition by teaching them the permagardens method and providing them with high value seeds and a variety of fruit trees
- Coach them on how to form savings and loan groups, and promote unity and reconciliation
I do all this through my permagarden teaching groups. Local authorities, churches and religious leaders and the health center directors give me a list of families with malnourished children. I prioritize teaching those who have the most desperate need. And I ask my trainees to teach their neighbors.
The group meets once a week in their permagarden to work together. It’s very important in post-genocide Rwanda to foster collaboration and cooperation. Participants come with at least 200Frw for the savings and loan group which helps to ensure that they can buy seeds themselves next season, pay for their medical treatments, and solve other problems. This is also a good opportunity for them to discuss specific issues facing their families such as domestic violence and alcohol/drug addition. The group works together to resolve their individual conflicts. I spend time with them often, teaching conflict resolution, mentoring, and conducting follow-up. As of April 2025, I’ve been receiving funds from The Permagardens Foundation to facilitate my efforts.