Empowerment for indigenous People; Batwa in Rwanda

Before the planning of this proposed project, we conducted a needs assessment for marginalized people called “Abatwa” in Rulindo District to identify their needs and existing gaps. The survey revealed that above 85% of marginalized people in the Rulindo District live under the poverty line. They live in chronic poverty with high risks of different diseases or conditions such as malnutrition, worm infestation, infectious diseases, etc. compared to other people in Rwanda. According to the assessment conducted by RWAYDAVO, only 36% Batwa had attended school, less than 1% secondary school and no one had completed higher education.

In summary, the needs assessment conducted identified different social, health, economic, and technological challenges of indigenous people in Rulindo District such as low education and literacy level, self-stigma, social discrimination lack of confidence and self-esteem, unemployment, insufficient awareness and access to primary health care services, lack of opportunities, etc. The proposed project is dedicated to addressing these identified issues in order to help indigenous people to get basic needs as other people in Rwanda.

The goal of this project is to empower indigenous people “Abatwa” in Rwanda through integrated social, health, economic, and technological interventions. At the end of 3 years of these project activities, indigenous people “Abatwa” will be empowered socially, economically, technologically, and in health. Hence, they will be able to access basic life opportunities, basic needs, and primary health care services as well as make decisions for small investments.

We request you to donate generously to our project so that we can keep working and achieve our goals. You could also consider making a monthly recurring donation for our project, which will help us with our ongoing work. 

We thank you for everything that you have done for our project, and we look forward to your continued support.

Thanks and best Regards.

Jean Damascene UWIZEYIMANA

RWAYDAVO President