Millennium Development Goals in Rwanda
By Edina Strikovic
Featured in the Fall 2007 issue
Images from rural sub-Saharan Africa are often those of poverty, illness and war. Although this region is facing great challenges, the improvement and rehabilitation of those areas is often overshadowed by their devastating past. As one of these countries in east Africa, Rwanda is commonly associated with the 100-day 1994 genocide where hundreds and thousands of ethnic Tutsis and moderate Hutu were killed. This genocide has been the largest atrocity, and nearly 800,000 to 1 million died during this Rwanda Civil War. People lost their lives and countless children became orphaned over night. Even now, thirteen years later, the country continues its recovery. Nevertheless, Rwanda continues its effort to improve their country’s current situation through different means.
During my summer internship in Rwanda, I participated in a human rights delegation and traveled in Rwanda to witness their progress first hand. The goal of this program was to encourage American and Rwandan students to learn about the local violations, to engage in human rights dialogue, and to learn about recent achievements. We traveled to different villages and regions, attended site visits to numerous schools, orphanages, and organizations. We also participated in projects, and took part in a two-week volunteer project at a local organization. I was fascinated by the beauty and richness of the culture, and the people’s strength and will to fight for a better Rwanda, yet astounded by how little is known about the country other than the 1994 genocide. The effort to rehabilitate post conflict Rwanda has been tremendous and is evident in all parts of the countries.
As a volunteer field-worker, I assisted the organization Never Again – Rwanda where I was introduced to Dr. Joseph RYAYASA NKURUNZIZA, Health Implementation Coordinator, who works closely with another project that I visited this summer: The Millennium Villages. This project is based in the eastern province and strives to accomplish the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in Rwanda. In January 2007, the Millennium Villages project celebrated its first anniversary and the difference a year has made to the villagers. Within 5 years, the government has adopted the MDGs, and has expanded MDGs intervention programs to nearby areas of the country. Programs in Mayange began in January 2006 and have reached a population of 50,000 by the end of 2006. These projects aim to improve the following six areas: Community Mobilization, Health, Education, Business Development, Agriculture, and Infrastructure. Community members have formed committees to lead interventions, and act as liaisons for the MDGs team.
Intervention programs for agriculture and water were created to assist farmers, and fertilizer loans were made available to help them with their harvest growth. As a result, more than 75% of Mayange land is now harvested. Additionally, to preserve the environment, the project worked with the community to plant 200,000 nitrogen fixing trees. Along with terracing and rain water harvesting techniques, this helps keep organic matter in the ground. As for the improvements in infrastructure, the project worked with the community to install and repair existing water infrastructure. These improvements helped connect the health center and local school to the electricity grid. Water tanks at the school and health center were also built since there is a shortage of running water in many Rwandan communities.
During my time in Rwanda, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to see these actions take place. The Millennium Villages project is still in its beginning stages, but its potential of possible improvement as well as its past achievements remains promising. The Millennium Villages project has transformed the region from one of the poorest in the country to one that has become a model for development. Rwanda now has 4 Millennium Villages and is one of ten African countries utilizing this model as a means for improvement. My short experience in Rwanda has opened my eyes to the different perspectives of developing countries and their potential for success and progress.
