Greetings from Agatare village in the Gisagara district! My name is Jean Pierre Twizerimana, and I proudly serve as a CorpsAfrica Volunteer, deeply engaged in fostering community development through innovative approaches. Today, I’m thrilled to share with you the remarkable journey of transformation taking place within our community, fueled by the principles of Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) and Human-Centered Design (HCD).
As a community, we have embarked on a mission to address pressing issues such as malnutrition, hygiene, and poverty. Recently, we confronted a significant challenge: the infertility of our soil due to its sandy nature and overreliance on inorganic fertilizers. This predicament directly impacted agricultural productivity, perpetuating the cycle of poverty in our village.
Through collaborative brainstorming sessions, we uncovered a solution rooted in our collective ingenuity. Recognizing the value of organic fertilizers, we seized upon the idea of utilizing pigs as a sustainable source of nutrient-rich compost. However, the question remained: How could we ensure equitable access to pigs within our community?
Drawing upon our communal savings scheme, wherein each member contributes three hundred Rwandan francs (300 RWF=0.3$) weekly, we devised a pioneering initiative: “One Pig Per Member.” With fifty active participants in our savings scheme, we pool our resources, amassing a total of fifteen thousand Rwandan francs (15,000 RWF) each week.
Every Friday, buoyed by anticipation and solidarity, we select a fortunate individual through a lottery system. This chosen member receives the funds collected—15,000 RWF—to acquire a pig of their choice. With additional contributions from the recipient, if feasible, we ensure that ownership of the pig is accessible to all.
Remarkably, our initiative has yielded tangible results, with twenty pigs now thriving within our community. Yet, our aspirations extend beyond mere numerical targets. We envision a future where each member of our community possesses a pig, fostering economic empowerment and resilience.
Indeed, pigs are renowned for their prolific breeding and the potential for sustainable income generation through the sale of piglets. By entrusting our community members with these valuable assets, we are sowing the seeds of lasting prosperity.
Moreover, beyond the immediate benefits, our initiative encapsulates a spirit of hope and unity. It symbolizes our collective commitment to fostering positive change and nurturing a culture of self-reliance.
As we continue on this transformative journey, we remain steadfast in our belief that small steps can lead to significant outcomes. Through the humble pig, we are cultivating a future defined by abundance, resilience, and shared prosperity.
Join us in celebrating the spirit of innovation and collaboration as we pave the way for a brighter tomorrow in Agatare village. Together, we are harnessing the power of community to cultivate prosperity from the roots up.
