Over the centuries, cows were a source of wealth and status in the Rwandan community — the most valuable gift that symbolizes great friendship. Families offered a cow to children to start their own family life. Herds of cows were a sign of dignity even to royals.
Cows were considered so valuable that they ended up in children’s names — Munganyinka, Sine ya mwiza (valuable as a cow) or Inyamibwa (beautiful cow) — as well as in traditional dances, where women raise their hands to emulate the giant-horned Inyambo cows.
Research conducted by SOS Children is Villages in Rwanda Family Strengthening Program, has identified livestock as a valuable source of income for vulnerable families.
Most recently, SOS Children’s Villages in Rwanda through Uburumbuke Iwacu Project, Quality Care and Kura Umenye set to distribute 293 cows to vulnerable families in districts (Bugesera, Rwamagana, Kayonza, Nyarugenge, Kicukiro, Gasabo, Kamonyi, Huye, Nyamagabe, Nyaruguru, Gicumbi and Musanze).
During the handover of the 32 cows in Bugesera District and 38 cows in Gicumbi District, the National Director of SOS Children’s Villages in Rwanda Jean Bosco Kwizera explained that handing over a dairy cow to people living in poverty is the best way to improve their live. The cow improves children’s nutrition through milk, increases agricultural output through better soil fertility and leads to greater incomes by commercializing dairy products.
“The main objective is reducing poverty through dairy cattle farming and improving livelihoods through increased milk consumption and income generation. It improves agriculture productivity through the use of manure as fertilizers which leads to improving soil quality and reducing erosion through the planting of grass and trees.” Jean Bosco explained.
He added that this year, 293 cows have been distributed in 12 districts (Bugesera, Rwamagana, Kayonza, Nyarugenge, Kicukiro, Gasabo, Kamonyi, Huye, Nyamagabe, Nyaruguru, Gicumbi and Musanze). “We also plan to distribute 483 goats, sheep and pigs to vulnerable families,” he explained.
Moses Kirenga, Executive Secretary of Gicumbi District, appreciated the support of SOS Children’s Villages in Rwanda to vulnerable families.
“The impact of the SOS Children’s Villages’ interventions is well known in our district and we really appreciate your efforts to strengthen families,” Moses said.
Moses added that Girinka has led to a number of significant changes in the lives of people living in poverty in Rwanda. Its implementation has contributed to increased milk production; improved soil fertility; increased crop production; enabled beneficiaries to access loans; improved nutrition; improved access to shelter and different equipment; strengthened social cohesion; created employment to individuals and created an opportunity to educate family members of program beneficiaries.
Angelique Umwali , the Vice Mayor in charge of Economic Development, said that SOS Children’s Villages in Rwanda is playing a big role in improving the lives of vulnerable children from families experiencing hardships in Mayange and Musenyi sectors.
She added that the Bugesera District staff should work closely with SOS Children’s Villages in Rwanda beneficiaries to ensure they reap from the project. Angelique added that dairy farming is a key sector that can help increase the income generation of families experiencing hardships.
The above-highlighted projects contributed to the improvement of the perception towards cattle, leaving behind the perception that cattle is a status symbol (the more cows one had the better) to now perceiving cattle as a source of income and livelihood.