On January 7th, 2015, ARDE/KUBAHO took a significant step towards improving access to clean water in rural Rwanda by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Embassy of Japan in the Republic of Rwanda.
The MoU, focused on the construction of a water facility in Gifumba Cell, Nyamabuye Sector, Muhanga District, was signed by Mr. Murenzi Paul, the Legal Representative of ARDE/KUBAHO, and His Excellency Kazuya Ogawa, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Rwanda. The signing ceremony took place at the Embassy of Japan in Kacyiru, Gasabo District, Kigali, with delegates from ARDE/KUBAHO, RHEPI (a local NGO), and Embassy staff in attendance.
During the ceremony, Ambassador Ogawa congratulated the beneficiaries of the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP), commending the great achievements made through this program. He emphasized that the awarded projects align with both Japan’s development initiatives and the Government of Rwanda’s priorities to meet the objectives of the Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy (EDPRS II) and Vision 2020.
Mr. Murenzi, in his remarks, expressed deep gratitude to the people and the Government of Japan for extending the grant to Rwanda. He highlighted ARDE/KUBAHO’s history, founded in 2002, and its achievements in water management, environmental conservation, and livelihood improvement programs supporting rural cooperatives.
The Muhanga District water project, he noted, is aligned with the national goal of achieving 100% access to clean water by 2017/2018. He further stressed the urgent need for clean water in the region, explaining that many beneficiaries have long faced challenges, including hygiene-related diseases and the burdens placed on women and children who must travel long distances to fetch water.
The project, expected to be completed in one year, will provide clean water to approximately 2,000 people in Gifumba Cell. It will include the construction of four water kiosks, two water tanks, and a 1.7 km pipeline. To ensure the long-term sustainability of the facility, the project will incorporate community training on hygiene and sanitation, as well as apprenticeships in facility maintenance.
The event concluded with a group photo featuring key representatives, including Mr. Tomio Sakamoto, Counsellor of the Embassy of Japan, Mr. Murenzi Paul, His Excellency Kazuya Ogawa, Mrs. Judith Katabarwa, Executive Committee Member of ARDE/KUBAHO, and Mr. Jean Pierre Hakizimana, Deputy Legal Representative of ARDE/KUBAHO.
