On 10^th February 2022, the State Minister in charge of Social Affairs in the Ministry of Local Government (MINALOC), Hon. Assumpta Ingabire, accompanied by the Director-General of Local Administrative Entities Development Agency (LODA), Mrs. Claudine Nyinawagaga, Mayor of Gisagara District Jérôme Rutaburingoga, Spark Microgrants team led by the Global Managing Director Lalit Kumar and the Country Director Nsabimana Gilbert, visited Akayenzi village of Akaboti Cell, Kansi Sector, Gisagara District, Southern Province to review Spark Microgrants's work with communities to achieve community-led and decentralized economic and social development.

Akayenzi village is one of the villages of Akaboti Cell, Kansi Sector, Gisagara District, Southern Province. The Village has 133 Households and 101 households that are part of the Facilitated Collective Action Process-FCAP (70 Female and 31 Male). Residents of Akayenzi Village revealed that the grants received from Spark Microgrants are an important resource in developing new businesses. They said the grants provided with seed money for exploring new business opportunities, supplying working capital for a business plan, or assisting in other ways.

In her remarks, Minister of State Ingabire expressed her satisfaction with the Social welfare of Kansi residents has improved consistently following the strong partnership with different stakeholders. “Looking back through the history of Kansi Sector, there has been significant progress in the past five years. The social welfare of residents changed and now the population has access to basic human needs, including food, safe drinking water, and sanitation and health facilities”, she told the population.

Minister Ingabire thanked Spark Microgrants for the continued citizen’s mobilization for their active and constant involvement in different government programs. “Spark has played a commendable role in mobilizing citizens through FCAP training. I am very happy that these pieces of training are driving local impact with inclusive participation, resulting in strong communities taking ownership over their own social, political, and economic futures” she said, adding that “I also glad to learn that all children in Kansi have returned to schools and that the participation in the health insurance scheme has reached 100% in Kansi, which is a great achievement”, she mentioned.

Minister Ingabire said that in past years, Gisagara district used to have a high level of poverty where around 50% of the population were living below the poverty line and the level of stunting was reaching 40% which has long-term effects on individuals and societies, including low productivity.

“The Government of Rwanda acknowledges the sustained and on-going partnership with its partners in implementing Rwanda’s 2050 development agenda. Your support is a key in implementing Government programs and hence improving the social and economic development of our population”, she expressed. She exhorted the population to capitalize on the support of Spark Microgrants and other partners the grants to implement innovative projects that could change their wellbeing.

In Kansi Sector, Spark Microgrants supported 30 groups of livestock production and farming projects through which 21 Households have purchased 378 bovines amounting to 167,750,000 RwF, 140 male cows costing RwF 13,420,000, and 427 goats at RwF8,603,200. They have also purchased 26 motorbikes costing RwF41,184,250.  In general, the four villages of the Kansi Sector benefited from the grants of Rwf 198,058,300 which helped villagers to cover basing development needs. Their collective savings are used to pay regular Health insurance and secure house household goods. They also contribute to the EJO HEZA Savings Program.

The 29 villages of the Sector have been supported by their local government officials (SEDOs) to lead their development through the FCAP training. They started by electing village committee leaders, where 4 are women out of 9. Currently, Village members are in the post-implementation phase of the FCAP planning for their graduation.