Civic engagement in Gahara: planting, protecting, preventing gender-based violence

The activity brought together residents, local and national authorities, institutional and development partners, as well as security forces. Guided by the national themes “All for families without GBV” and “Volunteering, our pride”, the event created a unique synergy between climate action, social cohesion, and the promotion of rights.

Large-Scale Mobilization for Concrete Action

Nearly 500 community members, more than half of them women and girls, took part in the works focused mainly on planting 2,000 fruit trees (1,000 grafted avocado trees, 400 lemon trees, 400 orange trees, and 200 papaya trees) at the garden of Butanga Primary School and in surrounding community plots. This FEREC initiative, led by CECI and supported by our partner ACORD Rwanda, which implements activities in the intervention area, aims to strengthen climate resilience, food security, and household incomes.

The event was attended by several notable figures, including Members of the Parliament of Rwanda on mission in Kirehe district, with Hon. RUTEBUKA Balinda as guest of honor, as well as Hon. WIBABARA Jennifer and Hon. KANAMUGIRE James. The Mayor of Kirehe district, Mr. Bruno RANGIRA, guided the works alongside CECI Rwanda Country Director, Ms. Olive ZIMURINDA INGABIRE. ACORD Rwanda, represented by agronomist Immaculée DUSHIMIMANA, and the University of Rwanda represented by Prof. Donat NSABIMANA, also joined the activity, along with security agencies including the RDF, the National Police, the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB), and DASSO.

Authorities’ Messages: Trees, Families, and Civic Responsibility

Speeches highlighted the strong link between environmental protection, peace within households, and sustainable development.

The Mayor of Kirehe district, Mr. RANGIRA Bruno, emphasized the importance of strengthening community engagement in Umuganda, describing it as “an effective traditional way to solve local socio-economic problems without waiting for external intervention.” He encouraged residents to maintain and protect the newly planted trees, stressing that fruit trees generate income, provide essential nutrition, and play a key role in addressing climate change. He also urged community members to adopt strong hygiene practices at household level and view Umuganda as a regular action, not only monthly but whenever necessary, to ensure daily cleanliness and sanitation.

Ms. Olive ZIMURINDA INGABIRE, CECI Rwanda Country Representative, highlighted the triple purpose of this event: “We came to Gahara for three reasons: to participate in Umuganda by planting trees, to launch the 16 Days of Activism against GBV, and to celebrate National Volunteer Day. Gender-based violence is an obstacle to family development. Where violence exists, development is impossible. The themes ‘All for families without GBV’ and ‘Every contribution counts’ remind us that this fight calls for everyone’s involvement.”

She noted that the 2,000 fruit trees were planted in the Butanga Primary School garden and nearby consolidated plots in the villages of Susuruka, Muguruka 2, and Rubira, as well as in households in these villages. Thanks to the FEREC project, this action supports soil conservation and food security, while encouraging each family to plant at least five trees, following the national recommendations issued by the Ministry of Agriculture (MINAGRI), of which CECI is a main partner.

The guest of honor, Hon. RUTEBUKA Balinda, commended everyone’s engagement: “I thank CECI for its contribution to the development of the country through environmental protection. I thank the population of Kirehe for their warm welcome. To secure a good future for our country, we must protect our land, educate our children, and build families free from GBV. Rwanda needs capable and exemplary farmers who uphold our values. It all begins in the family: taking time to educate, making joint decisions, and sending children to school. Unity is essential to prevent divisions.”

Testimony and Recognition: A Family Rebuilt

A particularly moving moment was the testimony of the family of BAMENYUBWABO Donatien and MUKANKWIRO Delphine, residents of Mukundanya village, who shared their journey out of domestic violence and towards socio-economic recovery.

“I was often drunk, my wife had no access to crops, I beat her, I persecuted her, there was no dialogue. We lived in chronic hunger and deep poverty,”
confessed Donatien.
“Thanks to the good governance counselling strengthened by the FEREC project, we have changed. Today, we harvest significantly (20 sacks of maize, 10 sacks of beans), we bought land, built a proper house, and practice modern agriculture on a small plot.”

Delphine, a project participant, added:

“Change came with dialogue. My husband decided to abandon harmful behaviors. We expanded our fields, started small trade, and little by little, we acquired plots, rental houses, and can now even support others.”

To honor their resilience, CECI Rwanda awarded the family a special prize: a breeding sow.

As part of strengthened women’s leadership, 4 smartphones were also distributed to 4 women champions (team leaders at the cell level), the first step toward a distribution that will reach 20 participants.

The Butanga Primary School environment club animated the event with traditional songs, dances, and poems celebrating environmental protection.

The activity received national and local media coverage, notably by Rwanda TV (https://youtu.be/rVmabzX0D1w?si=mWCwhGj1a7V9yY8U) and by Muhazi Yacu media, which published an article titled: « I Kirehe hatewe ibiti by’imbuto mu bihe bidasanzwe, abaturage basabwa kubibungabunga »: https://muhaziyacu.rw/ibidukik...;

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