Marie Louise Mukamanzi, a mother of seven, was very happy to receive the energy-efficient stove and wonderbox which keeps the food warm for her children when they return from school without her warming it again. “I am happy to receive the stove because it will reduce the long hours I spend looking for firewood and cooking,” said Mukamanzi.
Dansira Uwimana from Kinigi Sector is a farmer and does weaving on the side. She always has limited time to do her weaving but is now sure the three hours she takes to cook dry beans alone will be reduced and allocated to other activities. Uwimana appreciated the support saying that collecting firewood is time-consuming and very costly and sometimes they even fail to get enough.
She said that she will utilize the time saved for weaving, an activity that brings in extra income for her family.
The Mayor of Musanze District, Janvier Ramuli while officiating the distribution event applauded UN Women and RDO for developing such a project that will help women with the burden of gathering firewood and cooking for long hours while at the same time cutting down trees for firewood which cause climate change and other climate stressors.
Mr. Ramuli applauded the focus of the project to support women by having more time to think and undertake income-generating activities to uplift their families.
« In Musanze alone, 316 families received energy efficient kits and other 65 families will be given water tanks per family. This will empower women by removing impediments to their economic empowerment, » said Diana Mugwaneza, Programs Officer, RDO.
Nturanyenaba Consolee from Nyakiriba, Rubavu district, who was widowed 32 years ago and lives with a permanent disability and visual impairment due to a fatal motor accident told us that it was difficult for her to collect firewood and fetch water. « The energy kits come as a solution and relief for me in my old age and limited resources, thanks to UN Women’s support, » she said.
Iyandereye Clarisse, President of Kobinya cooperative in Nyakiriba, Rubavu district expressed her gratitude and that of members who received the cooking stoves saying that “I will now be able to attend meetings and cooperative programs because of the time saved”.
Tess Kazuba, 3R Programme Coordinator said that the energy-efficient kits are meant to reduce time spent doing unpaid care work, reduce firewood used, reduce conflicts in families and improve family relationships and improve livelihood statuses.
« Some men were also given energy-efficient kits to be ambassadors in changing the mindset that home care work is not meant for only women, but men should also support their partners and recognize the hard work they endure, » said Kazuba.
The unpaid care work is funded by the High Commission of Canada and is implemented in 8 Districts Musanze, Muhanga, Rubavu, Kirehe, Ngoma, Gasabo, Nyaruguru, and Nyarugenge.
Beneficiaries of the energy-saving kits include those living with disabilities in vegetable production in the Rubavu district which has a big number (80%) of women in cross-border trade.
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