Rwandan families supporting each other with Improved sanitation and hygiene practices

Ms. Violette Mukamusoni is a grandmother of two from Gihima village in Kayonza district and is a member of URUMURI Community Health Club (CHC).

Located in Gihima Village, Mburabuturo Cell, Mukarange Sector with about 100 members; URUMURI is one of the community health clubs supported by the USAID funded Gikuriro programme. With the help of the CHC facilitator and Gikuriro project officer, URUMURI health club members have successfully completed 20 lessons, which have helped members change their behaviour related to hygiene and sanitation.

Before joining the SNV/CRS implemented Gikuriro programme, Ms. Mukamusoni and her family did not have an improved latrine and had very basic knowledge regarding good hygiene and sanitation practices.

“Before joining the Gikuriru project, we did not know the importance of having an improved toilet, tippy tap, drying racks, and some of us did not even have basic toilets.”

With a better understanding of the effects of poor hygiene and sanitation practices; Ms. Mukamusoni’s grandchildren decided to construct a new improved toilet for their grandmother in order to help her avoid diseases caused by poor hygiene and sanitation. “Today, I and my grandchildren are safe and practicing good hygiene and sanitation”. Their target is to be a model family in their community and to sensitise other households to improve their hygiene and sanitation practices. They want to make hand-washing a habit especially with small children.

When asked about what she liked most about the Gikuriru intervention, Ms. Mukamusoni said; “I am so thankful to Gikuriro program that came on time, through very simple sanitation and hygiene lessons which were easy to understand."

Gikuriro is a five-year programme funded by USAID and implemented by SNV and Catholic Relief Services. The programme aims to improve the nutritional status of women in reproductive age and of children under five years of age, with an emphasis on the 1,000-day window of opportunity from pregnancy until a child's second birthday, in support of the Government of Rwanda's efforts. SNV’s main role in the programme is to implement water, sanitation, and hygiene interventions in the eight project districts of Nyanza, Ruhango, Nyabihu, Kicukiro, Nyarugenge, Ngoma, Kayonza and Rwamagana.