Who We Are

About RWARRI

Rwanda Rural Rehabilitation Initiative (RWARRI) is a national non-governmental organization whose idea was conceived in 1994 in Kenya, but its operations started in 1995 in Rwanda. It is dedicated to promoting and improving the social and economic welfare of rural communities in Rwanda. The Organization was started by a group of professionals and self-motivated Rwandese wishing to contribute towards the reconstruction of the country that had just emerged from war and genocide of Tutsi.

The organization has since expanded its membership by admitting new members, mainly from the rural farming community. The organization has been officially recognized and registered by the government of Rwanda as a non-governmental organization (NGO) since 2003, with registration No 37/11 14/SC&RT. It is currently registered with the Rwanda Governance Board (RGB), a government body tasked with regulating Civil Society Organizations (CSOs).

Our Mission

The mission of RWARRI is to be one of the most valued and respected NGOs in Rwanda and beyond, working towards achieving sustainable livelihoods among the rural poor and contributing towards shaping and implementing national and global policies that lead to the citizens' positive economic, social, and technological transformation.

Our Vision

The vision of RWARRI is the ultimate realization of a rural and vulnerable community that is economically sustainable, socially transformed, and food security. Fundamental to our vision is the belief that the above vision will be realized when community members take ownership and responsibility for the entire development process.

Identity Statement

RWARRI is a non-governmental organization whose idea was born in 1994 and began operations in 1995. It is officially registered in Rwanda to support the rural communities in their quest to improve their livelihoods, nutrition, food security, and management of natural resources.

Our Values

RWARRI promotes the following values:

1. Transparency
2. Accountability
3. Respect for human dignity
4. Effectiveness and Equity

Major Achievements (Since 1995)

Reception and Reintegration of Rwandan returnees (new and old case load as defined then) by providing them with basic human needs like water, shelter, food, seed and preparing them to begin a self-reliant life of producing their own food and starting income generating activities. Over 10,000 families were supported.

Support the rehabilitation and re-construction of schools, health centres, water supply lines that were vandalized during the war or due to neglect with financing from different funding organizations. These activities provided the initial basic needs that local rural communities needed on their journey towards self-reliance. Ten School, five health centres and four gravitational water supply lines were rehabilitated, expanded and equipped.

Support to the construction of new settlements (known as Imidugudu), working closely with the authorities for the re-distribution of Agricultural land, protection of the environment through forest restoration. 3000 houses were built and 1000 hectares of land planted with trees.

Provision of Vocational and Technical skills to youth and other vulnerable members of the community. Over 6000 students have been trained and over 70% are in gainful employment.

Support to farmers Cooperatives by strengthening their capacity in governance, administration, production and post-harvest management skills and linking them to input suppliers, finance and markets among others. Over 30,000 small holder farmers organized in Cooperatives have benefited from this support and their average income has been growing over the period.

Support to one cow per family program by distributing over 300 dairy cows, 500 goats and 3,000 dual purpose poultry to poor families. Over 500 families benefited from this program.

Support to the reduction of mal-nutrition and stunting among children below the age of five by raising awareness among affected families and providing nutritive food support. Approximately 17,360 Pregnant and Lactating women and 13,888 children Under-two years old have benefited from this program.

Support to Climate change adaptation and mitigation by introducing drip irrigation farming in green houses, planting of trees and raising awareness among school children by involving them in designing dissemination messages and reaching out to a larger population in the communities. Over 2000 school children were involved, a study on traditional methods of coping with climate change published and five cooperatives assisted to start greenhouse farming.

Adaptation and mitigation through technology transfer, capacity building to local rural farming communities to help them cope with challenges created by Climate change but also build their income base by using harvested water for agricultural production of high value crops. About 15,000 people will benefit from this project.