Aid Evaluator

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Topics in Rwanda

 

 

It is up to you to determine who you think is poor. To guide you the United Nations has ranked Rwanda nr. 166 out of 187 countries In the Human Development Index (Source, 2011). Rwanda is a good country to support due to the lack of corruption and an attitude that aims towards development. Poverty is rampant, due to history, geography, demography etc. There are different perspectives on how to alliviate poverty. Here are some arguments that may guide you:

 

• Agriculture: Being a landlocked country, food importation is expensive. There are good weather conditions for agricultural production although landdegradition, the many hills and the rapidly increasing population is making it difficult. Yet, improving cooperatives and small scale farming for the rural poor, seems like a very good option in which to combat poverty.

• Children: The children are the future, if they recieve care and education; they will have a better chance of realising development. In addition, there are a large number of very poor children living by themselves for various reasons. It is a big problem in Rwanda, although there are many efforts to assist the children.

• Community Development: Rwanda is renowened for it's collaborative community work. Many join cooperatives and many receive vocational or entreprenurial training so that they can fend for themselves and not have to rely on the few available jobs.

• Education/Capacity Building: The educational sector is quite good and most children go to school. However, not all can afford the school materials. Some schools give the children meals but not all. Toilets and playgrounds are rarely good quality. The One lap top per child programme helps many with computer access and Internet access is becomming quite accessible through cell phones.

• Envionmental Protection: Rwanda is highly exposed to climate change and ground degradation. Water resources are scares and given how the majority of poor Rwandans live in rural settings; depending on their envionment; it is very essential to protect it.

• Fairtrade: One of the ways in which to assist directly is to shop Fairtrade and support the cooperatives.

• Genocide: The GoR and organisations do a lot to help the genocide survivors. However, there are many mutilated, orphaned and traumatised Rwandans, who find it difficult to get by and lacks limps, surgery, wheelchairs etc.

• Health: The Rwandan health system works well. There is good insurance, however in rural areas it is often difficult to get assistance. Also the lack of sanitation and income to get both food and water makes the health of many Rwandans precarious.

• Rights/Justice: Rwanda has just gotten through most of the genocide trials. What is not a concern is landrights. In addition, the very religious Rwandans stick to the bible and do not always act justly towards prostitutes and beggars. Women, children and handicapped are respected in some areas but there are problems when it comes to enheritance, abortion, and general respect for the last two mentioned groups, in particular.

• Poverty/Food Security: Most Rwandans struggle to get food on the table.

• Religious: Rwanda is a very religious country. The churches are cemented in the communities and they often do great community work, as they know the exposed persons locally.

• Violence: Violence can often escalate, especially within families, where women and children especially, can beaten, especially in rural areas. There are hars laws against it but little assistance to victims, who often can not afford to turn in their abuser.

• Water and Sanitation: While 74% do have access to clean water, it takes most a long time to get it, as only 5% have it in their houses. Water is essential for both health and food production. Protecting it is essential for the sustainability of Rwanda and its path to development.

• Women: Women are known to think about the future for the entire family and to do the hard work. There are many vocational skills organisations that aims to assist them make a future for themselves and their families.

• Youth: The large group of well-educated, unemployed youth will make diffence in Rwanda. The GoR, NGOs and many others help with educational and entrepreneurial skills programmes.

 

An additional Recommendation

Some of the best organisations are very small and fight for the rights or survival of children or handicapped. It may be difficult to support them, as not all have internet pages with visa card donations yet they are worth contacting, even with relatively small donations.