Rugunga Cell has a population of 12,000. It sits on forested hills in the Eastern Province, looking down on Nyabarongo wetlands and Kigali City in the distance. It’s recorded that the area of Bugesera lost half its population during the massacres of the 1994 Genocide Against Tutsi.
This is one of the poorest rural areas of Rwanda. 30% of the population are living in extreme poverty.
Villagers survive by subsistence farming on poor quality soil and historically Bugesera district is one of Rwanda’s worst areas for severe annual droughts.
PF assessment meetings with District & Local Government Authorities and the Rugunga communities revealed the priority is providing opportunities for their youth to gain income earning skills. This would be the best way to begin improving the social & economic welfare of their income poor villages.
Giving all youth access to employment skills is a key element in tackling poverty in Rwanda. Investing in Technical & Vocational Education Training (TVET) is a vital driver of economic growth.