From High-Risk Houses To Modern Shelters – Needy Families Enjoy New Life

By Elias Hakizimana.

Ten years ago, Varelie Mukashyaka, 54, a citizen of Mvuzo cell, Bumbogo sector in Gasabo district experienced hurdles of living in high-risk house that could put her life with children in danger.

This mother was homeless before she was given an old and poor mud-made house by her brothers who are also living under poverty.

“I, my four children and my grandchild lived here since ten years ago, it was a huge problem when it rained as we couldn’t manage to sleep, and life was in danger. I used to harvest rain water inside the house using everything like pans and buckets to reduce the overflow of water in the house,” she said.

“Some parts of this mud-made house used to collapse on children and I feared they could kill them when they are sleeping.” She added.

Mukashyaka used to live in this old house and cook inside. Pans and other materials surrounding her bed with fear to become dead the next morning as they house looks like “a hole” as she calls it.

Fortunately, Mukashyaka and her colleague Beatrice Nyarugendo from Nyagasozi cell, Bumbogo sector benefited from support by Love With Actions (LWA), a local organization that donated them new modern shelters with all basic home materials such as modern chairs and a table in the saloon, the bed with mosquito net, the kitchen, water and electricity and toilet outside among others.

“I am living in a good house, life changed as I no longer fear that any part of the house can collapse to kill me or my children. I couldn’t welcome a guest in the old house” She said, appreciating the support by Love With Actions.

Beatrice Nyarugendo, 52 also benefited from this support from an old house where she used to live.

“After my husband died in 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, I gave birth to other children and neighbours pushed my elder son to fire me with these children, then I preferred to look for somewhere to raise my children. So, I sought for rent at various areas before I came into this old house. Fortunately I was selected among the needy who deserve house donation and now I am living a different life, thanks to Love With Actions and the Government of Rwanda to contribute for the needy.” Nyarugendo said.

Gilbert Kubwimana, Executive Director and Founder of Love With Actions (LWA) said that they took the initiative to build the new four-in-one houses worth Rwf32Million to eight poor and homeless families to complement the government’s programmes to help poor households find houses.

He said that they managed to build this house in partnership with Bumbogo sector. He also calls up on other stakeholders to help the government build modern houses for the needy as there are still many who live in high-risk old houses.

“I strongly believe that partnership with government and donor organizations will help to change many things in our society.” Kubwimana noted.

Deo Rugabirwa, Executive Secretary of Bumbogo sector said that such a partnership helps the government to fast track the goals.

“We still have over 60 poor families whom we are looking for houses through human security issues’ programmes. This can be done with the budget of city of Kigali or Gasabo district but we value partnership more than doing it alone.” Rugabirwa said.

He said that they plan to build eight-in one houses during the next programmes to help more families who do not have decent houses.

 

 

 

 

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