The Empower pillar of Wilderness’ Impact strategy is the primary driver of its community partnerships, one of which is between Wilderness Sabyinyo and the Sabyinyo Community Livelihood Association (SACOLA) in Rwanda. They recently launched a transformative housing project benefiting villages in the Nyange and Kinigi sectors near the country’s famed Volcanoes National Park.
In total 20 houses were built for 15 vulnerable families and 5 families of genocide survivors. The fully equipped and furnished houses are valued at a total of USD 220 0000, and were handed over to the families along with additional essential supplies, including rice, flour, cooking oil and soap. Each house has three furnished bedrooms, a living room, a bathroom, a kitchen, and a water tank.
SACOLA Chairman, Nsengiyumva Pierre Célestin, expressed his gratitude to His Excellency President Paul Kagame for granting them the partnership with Wilderness Sabyinyo, which plays a significant role in improving the welfare of the communities surrounding Volcanoes National Park. He stated, “Together with Wilderness, we are committed to enhancing the quality of life for the residents, and will continue to collaborate with the Musanze District to uplift residents, moving them from poor to better living conditions. In recent times, we have also been able to provide water, cows, various small livestock, and built public infrastructure, including schools, bridges, and administrative offices for villages and sectors, all thanks to good governance”.
Sekanyambo J. Népomuscène, one of the beneficiaries, said, “My family and I used to live in a thatched hut where we couldn’t sleep due to the cold and fear. When it rained, we had to sit up all night as water would flood the house and soak everything. Now, we have received a well-roofed, secure house with metal doors and windows, a living room, and a rainwater collection tank. These improvements will help us advance, as we can now go to work without worrying as we used to”.
The Vice Mayor in charge of Economic Development in the Musanze District, Mrs Uwanyirigira Clarisse, expressed her gratitude to partners like SACOLA, who collaborate on various initiatives to improve the lives of residents. She stated, “The work of SACOLA is commendable, as it complements our district’s efforts to ensure that residents live in good housing and have a better quality of life”.
“I am so proud to be able to be able to contribute to meaningful projects like this, that are made possible by our Wilderness Sabyinyo guests, whose stays directly contribute to community upliftment”, concluded Leonard Harerimana Wilderness Rwanda’s SACOLA & Sabyinyo Communication Officer.
