Residents of Gisagara District say support received through the PRISM livestock initiative has helped many families move from daily survival to building more stable livelihoods.
Before receiving livestock, many residents depended on working on other people’s farms to earn small daily wages. Today, some of them say the animals they received became the starting point for improving their nutrition and generating income.
Jeannine Nyirahabimana, who lives in Nyaruteja village in Nyanza sector, says she had never owned livestock before becoming a beneficiary of the PRISM project.
“In my life, I often went hungry because I was destitute and had no reliable food. It also affected my child, who suffered from illnesses linked to malnutrition. I started raising chickens in 2022 after receiving them from PRISM. Eating meat or eggs used to feel like an impossible dream because the small wages I earned from working on other people’s farms were not enough to feed my family properly.”
In 2022, she received 10 chickens through the project. After raising them until they matured and started laying eggs, she says the eggs and meat helped improve her children’s nutrition and the family’s health. As the chickens reproduced, she began selling some birds and raising day-old chicks, gradually expanding her activity until she was able to raise around 200 chicks.
Other beneficiaries describe similar changes in their lives
Deogratias Hashimamungu says he received two goats from the project, which later reproduced and increased his herd.
“The project gave me two goats. I raised them, and they reproduced. Once they started multiplying, I passed on some offspring to other beneficiaries, and that’s when I realized it was possible to build a better life starting with those goats.”
He explains that he used to rely on working on other people’s farms to survive. As his goats multiplied, he shared some offspring with other beneficiaries as required by the program. His herd has since grown to 41 goats, allowing him to employ other people to help take care of the animals.
Local authorities say the initiative has helped residents develop practical skills while improving their economic situation
Jean Paul Habineza, the Vice Mayor of Gisagara District in charge of economic development, says the project has contributed to helping residents improve their livelihoods.
“We appreciate the support from PRISM in helping our citizens progress economically. Those who received small livestock are now helping others escape poverty by passing on animals and sharing the skills they have learned.”
He explains that beneficiaries received training in different areas, including preparing balanced diets, resolving family conflicts, and producing animal feed such as azolla and hydroponic fodder.
PRISM is implemented by the Government of Rwanda in partnership with the International Fund for Agricultural Development through the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources and the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board.
