Rwanda
In the Cyanika region of Northwest Rwanda, communities are partnering with Team Rwanda of Engineers Without Borders CU Boulder to design and install rainwater catchment systems. Access to safe water is a major challenge—during the dry season residents often face extreme drought, while in the rainy season water sources can be unsafe and difficult to reach. The catchment systems help address both challenges, storing water for use well into the dry season. To date, the EWB team has successfully implemented nine systems, all of which remain operational and are maintained by trained community members.
Looking ahead, the EWB team plans to continue building one new system each year until the twelve systems agreed upon with the community are complete. A key partnership with Dr. Jean D’Amour Manirere at the ³Ô¹ÏÍø of Rwanda enables the team to identify the most urgent community needs, stay connected with past project sites, and ensure proper upkeep of completed systems. Through this collaboration, the EWB team is working toward a long-term vision of reliable, community-managed water access across Cyanika.
A Word of Thanks
Dear All,
My name is Nizeyimana Japhet.Ìý People call me Maguru; I am 62 years old, a father of 7 children (3 boys & 4 girls). I am a chief of [the] Ntarama village located in Cyanika, North province of Rwanda, where I lived my entire life.
On behalf of Ntarama Village community, I would like to thank you for your generous donation, your contribution makes it possible for us to access easily water and save lots of time of going to fetch water at the lake, around 3 hours. Clean water will be better for our health, children’s health, happiness & wellbeing of our families.ÌýThis is only possibly because of thoughtful contribution from people like you.Ìý Once again, thank you for your generous donation.
Sincerely,
Nizeyimana Maguru Japhet
Ìý
Ìý ÌýWhenever [we visit] the country the issue with the distribution of clean water in many regions is apparent. Its obvious how this problem impacts everything else that stands in a way of developing this country's infrastructure. My wife has specifically mentioned water as the key area that needs attention. I am glad that I found your project.Ìý Ìý- Henning Müller, EWB Donor
