The successful completion of One Dollar Campaign Project (an initiative by Rwandan Diaspora to help Genocide Survivors Project), that raised close to 2 billion Rwandan francs encouraged the Rwandan Diaspora to embark another initiative in a timely response to the Government policy.

The new  Rwandan Diaspora initiative is  a Community Development Project named ‘Bye Bye Nyakatsi’ aimed at building a model village for disadvantaged and poor families in Bugesera District as a contribution to a government campaign to eliminate grass-thatched dwellings (commonly referred to as ‘Nyakatsi’) in the country.

Birth of “Bye Bye Nyakatsi” Project

After hearing about the policy of the Government of Rwanda to eradicate grass thatched houses in Rwanda, the Rwandan Diaspora decided to contribute to the implementation of the policy. The decision has been taken during the 4^th Diaspora Global Convention held in Kigali on 13-15^th of December 2009.  By the end of the convention, a general meeting was held at Lapalace Gashora in Bugesera District and the project was born. A fundraising was carried out and about 700,000 Rwf had been raised, a committee of 8 members was voted into office to foresee the implementation of the project and it is working around the clock in partnership with the DGD to accomplish this project.

  The implementation process

The project will be implemented in a period of 2 years (2010-2012) with Year 1 for public awareness and fundraising mobilization, and Year 2 for construction works. The first beneficiaries of this project are the neediest poor people from Bugesera district, the Eastern region living in Nyakatsi.  

 A documentary film that was shot in Bugesera explaining the livelihood of the people and the urgent need for the success of the project. This film will be shown at fundraising occasions all over the world to raise more funds.

A website is soon to be built that will showcase the project’s progress on-line to reach the wider mass of the Diaspora community. The official logo of the project has been designed, commissioned and can be easily identified with the Bye Bye Nyakatsi project.

 A delegation from the Diaspora visited this area and had a firsthand look at the situation. The sight of human beings and fellow Rwandese living in absurd conditions indoors with their livestock in these homesteads had a great impact. The delegation was greatly touched by their plight and inspired them to fund the project and thereafter a launching ceremony led by Hon. Louise MUSHIKIWABO, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation on 26^th April. During the ceremony, about 7 million Rwandan francs were raised in cash and pledges and we can’t forget 12 houses pledged by Lodestar Construction Company.

The project is to be run under the close partnerships of numerous stakeholders such as: the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Rwanda particularly the Diaspora General Directorate (DGD) and RDGN will coordinate activities of sensitization of all Rwandan Diaspora and friends of Rwanda to take part in action through Rwandan Embassies abroad that have to help raise the involvement of the Diaspora associations.

The Junior Chamber International (JCI), a worldwide community grouping of youthful entrepreneurs that is operating in Rwanda, Bugesera district administration that has been so cooperative and provided land and not forgetting Lodestar, an American Construction Company which will build the model Diaspora village and has panel building systems for the construction of low, moderate to high-end housing at a relatively affordable price. About 504 houses will be built and a team from the project partners will choose the 504 genuine occupants that will be in the utmost need.

On the ground activities

Currently, the project is in its advanced phase of implementation with numerous activities being organised to fundraise for the needed total cost that is over 2.5 billion Rwandan francs. Plans are in advanced stages to organise a Fashion Show to be held at “Le Chantier Club in Bugesera.  Proceedings from this show will go to the project’s coffers.