Former Nyungwe National Park poachers residing in Nyamasheke, have narrated how Kageno Rwanda Project has changed lives of their households, by giving them jobs after they were mobilized to quit poaching activities in one of the oldest rainforests in Africa, Nyungwe, in 2002.
Kageno Rwanda Project operating in Banda Cell Rangiro Sector, Nyamasheke District, South Western Rwanda, has contributed to the sustainable development and improved the standard of living of them, according to the ex poachers now grouped in Kabeho Nyungwe Cooperative with 62 members including 20 women.
They narrated to this newspaper that Kageno Rwanda Project trained them how to fight against malnutrition by learning how to make chicken garden, locally known as ‘Akarima k’Igikoni’ (a small part of land where family plants vegetables so as to be able to prepare an adequate diet). Kageno Rwanda Project employed 40 former poachers who are also the members of Kabeho Nyungwe cooperative. Twenty- four of them are in charge of supplying porridge and food to Groupe Scolaire Banda, Gasanane Primary School and one Anglican nursery school, also supported by Kageno Rwanda. The beneficiaries say each individual gets 2,000Rwfs on daily basis as a wage in accordance to the task performed, the rest do the remain works while others serve in Nyungwe National Park, in preparing paths for tourists. They are paid 1,000 Rwfs daily. Forty residents working with Kageno Rwanda Project as Leonard Niyigaba, one of the Kabeho Nyungwe Cooperative Head puts it, their lives changed. Niyigaba says ” We started destroying Nyungwe at early age. We used to follow our parents who were trapping and hunting animals to get meat. We did lots of negative activities towards biodiversity. We also used to burn bushes so that we can germinate some vegetables. However, our lives did not change. We thought Nyungwe was of no use apart from what we gained from it yet, we remained living in poverty.” ” We used to get meat, honey, and trees for sell but at a low cost. We only drank beer and the following day we went back to look for the same goods till 2002 when government intevened and stopped our activities.” Niyigaba added ” Kageno Rwanda Project played a agreat role in revamping our livelihoods. None of us with less than three livestocks. We have recently bought a forest worth two millions Rwandan Francs and we have so far banked two millions Rwandan Francs for future use.” He narrated He says Kageno Project help them to achieve a lot to the exent that they feel responsible for the Nyungwe National Park protection. ” We cannot sit idly and watch while someone are destroying Nyungwe. It is our responsibility to protect it.” Members of the cooperative claim Kageno Rwanda supported after quitting poaching activities by giving jobs to feed their families. Berancille Musabyimana, married, mother of five, is on of the Kageno Rwanda Project beneficiaries. She told BWIZA how she used to accompany her husband during poaching activities. ” I used to go in Nyungwe together with my husband for a hunt. We went there in groups. We killed many animals, roasted some meat and we sold some. Besides, we lived in hatched house for years. We realized the changes when Kageno Rwanda Project gave us a job. I have already bought 700,000Rfws plot of land nearby the road for one of my kids, we are now planning to build a big house with good roof. We had nothing when we were poachers, now I can afford to buy clothes for my kids and myself.” She says ” We are involved in animal husbandry, we get a balanced diet. We are witnessing a different life from before. I cannot tolerate anyone trying to destroy Nyungwe.” Kageno Rwanda Project taught former poachers how to fight against malnutrition in their families Kageno Rwanda Project Leader, Elie Musabyimana, says the initiative supported by Rwanda Development Board (RDB), to help these former poachers was intended to halt therm from continuing destroying Nyungwe National Park. He believes, it could not have been possible to preserve Nyungwe National Park while these poachers were jobless. Kageno Rwanda Project also plays a great role in conservation of environment using mbilization. Adding ” They were employed by Kageno Rwanda Project while others were employed in Nyungwe in preparing paths used by tourists.” Kageno Rwanda Project helps former Nyungwe poachers to improve their lives Ngoga Télésphore, Officer in Charge of National Parks Management in Rwanda Development Board (RDB), told BWIZA that ” Poachers are not only those who kills animals inside the parks, but also who damage whatever found in the site. These poachers destroyed lot of things within the park. W e are grateful that now they are helping us to conserve it. It helped us to identify other poachers for they are very familiar with poaching, they know each other. Those caught were punished accordingly, others were warned.” ” Though poaching has fully not stopped but cases decreased.” He observes Nyungwe National Park lies in southwest Rwanda, partly abutting the Burundi border. It’s a vast area of mountain rainforest, home to many species of chimpanzees, plus owl-faced and colobus monkeys. The Canopy Walkway, part of the Igishigishigi Trail, is a high suspension bridge with views over the valley and surrounding forests. A trail runs to the Kamiranzovu Marsh, with its birdlife, orchids and waterfall. Photo Credit: Bahuwiyongera Sylivestre
Ex poachers in Nyungwe National Park vow to protect it at all cost
Some of the Kageno Rwanda Project beneficiaries during their work
