On the 25^th April 2023 at Butare Sector, Rusizi district, there was held the official launch of activities of GiveDirectly-Rwanda. The latter embarks on a new project named “Scaling Transfers for Extreme Poverty in Rwanda – STEP”, the objective of which is to transform and/or upgrade the livelihoods of households by providing unconditional cash transfers.

This event was officiated by Hon. Governor HABITEGEKO François of Western Province. In his address to the local population, Governor HABITEGEKO stated that: “This initiative is one of many projects that the President of the Republic brings to us to improve our living conditions. Let us take advantage of this opportunity and avoid being adamant. […]. Every household will be given 1,100 $, that is approximately one million two hundred Rwandan Francs (1,200,000)”.

“This money should be a blessing to us and not a misfortune! The money is meant for the entire household and not for merely men as household heads. Please avoid conflicts in your families. Rather invest this money into income generating projects […]. Please refer to your IMIHIGO note books, make a family development plan. If you don’t raise a domestic animal, if you don’t possess a land plot for agricultural activities, if you stay in an indecent house, etc.; this is the real time to own them”, he said.

According to Mr. RWAKA Moses, the agent in charge of External Relations at GiveDirectly-Rwanda, “This project has come to contribute to the National Strategy for Sustainable Graduation recently promulgated by the Government of Rwanda. […]. The financial support you are getting soon is like a seed to be sowed and not to be eaten. This implies that you’re 100% responsible for leaving behind the poor living conditions. You should invest into income generating projects of your choice”.

Originated from the United States of America in 2016, GiveDirectly is a Non-Government Organization that is contributing to one of the sensitive NST1 targets of eradicating extreme poverty in Rwanda to below 1% by 2024. Its core activities lie in providing unconditional cash transfers to vulnerable households.

This project under implementation by GiveDirectly–Rwanda is being piloted in 5 selected administrative Sectors from each of the four provinces and the City of Kigali: Gikomero (Gasabo, City of Kigali), Cyabakamyi (Nyanza, Southern Province), Shingiro (Musanze, Northern Province), Butare (Rusizi, Western Province) and Murama (Kayonza, Eastern Province). These Sectors were selected based on the highest poverty rate.

Butare Sector counts around 5,197 households and almost 90% of them are in poor living conditions. Butare inhabitants have enthusiastically welcomed the financial support from GiveDirectly-Rwanda and are endlessly thankful to the Government of Rwanda led by His Excellency Paul KAGAME, President of the Republic who strives for the betterment of their lives.

“I have never afforded to raise a cow, but now if I get this money I shall purchase one. Another thing I plan to do is to build a house with brick walls and covered with iron sheets given my current shelter is too old”, revealed one old man from Gatereri Cell.

“I am a widow. If I get this money, I shall construct a more decent house compared to the one I live in now. With the remaining part I shall buy a land plot for agricultural activities”, the jubilant Virginia from Rwambogo Cell.

“With this money I plan to do business. I shall refurbish my residence to accommodate some business such as cloth selling and some commodities”, said Charles Ndikumwenayo from Butanda Cell.

GiveDirectly-Rwanda and the Government of Rwanda (through the Ministry of Local Government) had an agreement to work hand in hand in order to uplift vulnerable households and improve their livelihoods in a sustainable way. Prior to STEP, GiveDirectly-Rwanda completed a similar project known as “KUNGAHARA” (Retail Program) whereby it provided financial support of more than 66 Billion RWF to over 83,262 households in Gicumbi, Ngoma, Gisagara, Nyamagabe and Ngororero Districts since 2016 to March 2023.