Muhanga, July 25, 2018* – On Tuesday, July 21, ARDE/KUBAHO, in partnership with the Embassy of Japan through its GGP Program, Muhanga District, and WASAC Ltd (Muhanga Branch), inaugurated a technical training on Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) at the CEPAF Training Center in Muhanga District. This “Training of Trainers” (ToT) aims to equip 30 selected participants from local villages with essential knowledge on hygiene, sanitation, and the management of water systems.
These trainees will play a vital role in piloting and monitoring hygiene and sanitation activities in households while ensuring the sustainable use of water infrastructure constructed by ARDE/KUBAHO, with support from the Embassy of Japan. As ARDE/KUBAHO nears completion of two key water projects serving over 2,500 people in semi-urban areas of Muhanga, the training comes at a crucial time. These projects include the Gifumba Water Project, funded by the Government of Japan through the Embassy’s GGP Program, and the Gahondo Water Project, which was completed with the generous contribution of American benefactor Nancy Uslan.
While the Gahondo project is already providing clean water to 300 residents, the Gifumba project is in its final stages and will soon be operational. Mr. François Uhagaze, Vice Mayor of Muhanga District, expressed his gratitude to ARDE/KUBAHO and the Embassy of Japan for their contribution to improving water access, a key priority for the Government of Rwanda as it strives to achieve universal access to clean water by 2017.
Mrs. Tomoko Tokuda, the Coordinator of the GGP Program at the Embassy of Japan, praised the collaborative efforts of all stakeholders, including the construction company IBC Ltd, WASAC Ltd, and the local community, for their effective involvement in the project’s success.
During the training launch, ARDE/KUBAHO President Mr. Murenzi Paul encouraged participants to actively engage in the training for maximum benefit, while Mrs. Tokuda emphasized the importance of sustaining the use of water facilities and promoting hygiene practices. After the event, a joint team visited the Gifumba project site to assess its progress, commending the work done by IBC Ltd under ARDE/KUBAHO’s supervision. The team announced plans to inaugurate the facility in early September 2015.
Beneficiaries of the ARDE/KUBAHO WASH program, especially women and children, have expressed their excitement about the projects, as they will now have closer access to clean water, allowing them to better manage family and school responsibilities. ARDE/KUBAHO remains committed to continuing similar initiatives with its partners in 2016, focusing on expanding access to clean water for vulnerable communities.
