During a meeting held on April 16, 2026, in Gicumbi District to share the achievements of the Kungahara Muhinzi Project, stakeholders said the training and support provided through the project had significantly improved their agricultural production and living conditions.
The project is funded by the European Union and implemented by AVSI Rwanda in the districts of Gicumbi, Nyanza, and Ruhango.
One of the beneficiaries, Niyigena Pascasie, said that before joining the project, her family struggled to produce enough food.
"Before AVSI Rwanda reached our community, we did not have enough food at home and frequently had to buy food from the market. After receiving agricultural training and small livestock that provide manure, I started using organic fertilizer on my farm. We were also given improved seeds, which helped us increase our production. Today, I no longer need to buy beans and other crops that we used to purchase regularly," she said.
In addition to improving food security, beneficiaries said the Kungahara Muhinzi Project helped them develop a saving culture through village savings groups and financial literacy training.
Jean Bosco Muganga, another beneficiary, said the project transformed both his mindset and financial situation.
"The Kungahara Project changed the way I think and work. I learned how to save money through improved savings groups. In the past, the government paid for my community-based health insurance, but today I can pay for it myself, and my family's living conditions have greatly improved," he said.
AVSI Rwanda says the project's main objective was to help communities increase agricultural production, achieve food security, and improve nutrition in a sustainable way while equipping them with skills that will continue to benefit them after the project ends.
Mutsiri Elvanie is the Technical Advisor at AVSI Rwanda, said the organization is encouraged by the progress made by beneficiaries.
"We are pleased with the achievements made by the communities. Our goal was not simply to provide support, but to empower people to solve their own challenges, especially those related to food security and nutrition," she said.
On the side of local authorities, Mbonyintwari Jean Marie Vianney, Vice Mayor of Gicumbi District in charge of Social Affairs, said the project was introduced at a time when many households faced challenges related to malnutrition and low agricultural productivity, but that significant improvements are now visible.
"The DHS survey showed that stunting in Ruhango District decreased by 16.5 percent. In Gicumbi, the stunting rate was 42 percent, but it has now dropped to 38.4 percent. This shows that we need to continue investing efforts in the fight against child stunting through improved food production and better nutrition," he said.
He also urged residents not to sell all of their harvests but to prioritize the nutritional needs of their families.
"Food is available, but sometimes the challenge lies in how it is prepared and used. That is why we continue to support families in preparing balanced diets. People should also avoid selling all their produce because when a household has enough food, many nutrition-related problems can be prevented," he added.
The event also featured an exhibition showcasing products and innovations developed by beneficiaries and project partners in agriculture, livestock farming, and handicrafts.
Among the products displayed were sweet potatoes, maize, cassava, different varieties of beans, potatoes, eggs, soy milk, and charcoal made from cassava peels.
AVSI began operating in Rwanda in 1994 following the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. In 2020, it became a registered local non-governmental organization.
The organization's mission is to build a more dignified, inclusive, and just society that respects the choices and needs of children and their families. AVSI also works to create safer communities through strong partnerships among parents, communities, and schools, with the aim of promoting children's well-being and supporting their full development.
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