In partnership with the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), the Local Administrative Entities Development Agency (LODA) has distributed smartphones to the first cohort of Para Social Workers (PSWs).

These smartphones are expected to improve the PSWs’ day-to-day performance, particularly in monitoring households, submitting reports, and sharing information on the activities they carry out with families under the National Strategy for Sustainable Graduation, a program aimed at helping vulnerable citizens permanently exit poverty.

The distribution began on Tuesday, July 22, 2025. The first phase of recipients included all Para Social Workers in Rulindo District, as well as those from Rugimbu Cell in Kivuruga Sector, Gakenke District. The distribution is planned to continue in other districts in upcoming phases.

The PSWs who received the phones stated that the devices would make their work easier, especially in reporting on time, tracking the progress of families they support, and communicating their development activities within their local communities.

Daniel Nshizirungu, the representative of PSWs in Bushoki Sector, Rulindo District, said that the smartphones will significantly improve their efficiency, as they previously struggled to showcase the work they were doing.

“Before, we used to do the work, but it was difficult to report what we had achieved. Sometimes we wanted to take a good picture showing the progress made by the households we support, but lacked the tools to do so. Now, we’ll be able to work effectively and provide daily updates on the progress of the families we follow up on”, he said.

His colleague, Janvier Iradukunda, who represents PSWs in Rugimbu Cell, Kivuruga Sector, Gakenke District, added: “Previously, we were doing this work with limited means, and it was tough, it felt like we were just struggling through. Now, thanks to these modern smartphones, we’ll be more effective. We assure LODA that we will work even more closely with communities and showcase the results of our efforts”.

The Management of LODA says the smartphones will increase the productivity of Para Social Workers, particularly by improving their ability to monitor activities under the Graduation Program.

The agency also reminds all recipients that the smartphones are strictly work tools and should be handled with care. They must not be used for personal or unrelated activities. The phones are equipped with technology that allows them to be tracked at all times, and they are locked to only accept SIM cards provided by LODA.