Success Stories rwanda
LIBEREE
“I HEARD ABOUT ALL THE GOOD WORK KAGENO WAS DOING AND I MOVED MY FAMILY TO THE KAGENO NEIGHBORHOOD. IT WAS THE BEST THING I HAVE EVER DONE!”
HEALTHCARE + AGRICULTURE
My name is Liberee. I used to live in the Cyato sector. I heard about all the good work Kageno was doing and so moved my family to the Kageno neighborhood. It was the best thing I have ever done!
Now I work as a cow-keeper. I receive medication at the Kageno Clinic. With Kageno’s help, Kageno built a latrine for my family.
I also learned how to make a kitchen garden and use the clean water from a tap Kageno put near my house. Kageno is good for us.
Video narrated by Jacqueline Murekatete
AMINADAB
“ONE OF MY DAUGHTERS, ANUARITA, IS DISABLED. KAGENO HELPED PAY FOR HER MEDICAL TREATMENTS AND NOW SHE IS IN PRIMARY FOUR AND SHE CAN READ AND WALK WITH CRUTCHES ON HER OWN!”
HEALTHCARE + EDUCATION + AGRICULTURE
My name is Aminadab and Kageno changed my life. Ten years ago, when Kageno came to our village, my daughters were able to go to the Kageno Nursery School and eat healthy food.
One of my daughters, Anuarita, is disabled. Kageno helped pay for her medical treatments and health insurance and now she attends a special school in Gatagara. She is in Primary Four and she can read and walk with crutches on her own! Kageno knew health care fees and schooling was not enough to change our lives so helped us again.
They encouraged us to start farming and provide us with the education and means to be successful. Last season we harvested 1,000 pounds of corn! We also bought a cow and some goats. Without Kageno, I don’t know if my family would have survived. I will always be grateful.
Video narrated by Dylan McDermott
Costasie
“I got a job growing and harvesting the grasses.The money I made changed my life! Now my three year old and I live in a house I built. It is unusual in our community for a woman to build her own home.”
AGRICULTURE + JOB CREATION + INCOME GENERATION
My name is Costasie. I found Kageno six years ago. I was very poor. I got a job growing and harvesting the grasses we need to feed the village cows. The money I made changed my life! Now my three year old and I live in a house I built. It is unusual in our community for a woman to build her own home. I have wisely invested my money and soon will buy land — my own land! I give Kageno my special thanks.
Video Narrated by Jacqueline Murekatete
Beata
“I graduated top of my class and got a job at Kageno as a healthcare worker.I bought a house for my family. Eventually I bought land to farm. I own three cows.”
EDUCATION + JOB CREATION + INCOME GENERATION
My name is Beata. 8 years ago my husband was killed in a driving accident. I was lost. I was responsible for three babies and had never completed my own education. I did not know what would happen next or what I would have to do to survive. Kageno helped me get death benefits, which helped me to control my life.
I sent my children to school and made the decision to return to my own studies. It was hard being in a classroom with teenagers. My family and friends mocked me saying I should leave my studies and see to my children. I followed my conscience and stayed. I made myself excel at school. I would make my children proud. I graduated top of my class and got a job at Kageno as a healthcare worker.
I bought a house for my family. Eventually I bought land to farm. I own three cows. Two of them are with poorer families to our mutual benefit. I opened a shop at the Banda trading center. It is very successful. I saw the need for more reliable transportation services. I got a bank loan and started a motorcycle taxi business!
My children are well fed and educated. I have recently become a village leader. I am so proud to help develop and contribute to my beautiful country. I hope to continue at university to study rural development. My thanks to Kageno are uncountable. Kageno ‘’Yo karama’’ meaning to live longer and ever!
Video narrated by Maggie Q
JOSEPHINE
“I LEARNED AGRICULTURAL TECHNIQUES FROM KAGENO AND THEY PROVIDE ME WITH SEEDLINGS. SINCE 2011, I HAVE BEEN MAKING MONEY FROM THE VEGETABLES I GROW AND FEED MY FAMILY.”
AGRICULTURE + JOB CREATION + INCOME GENERATION
I am 53 years old. I live in Banda near the Kageno compound. I am married and a mother to 5 children, I am known as the vegetable lady. I learned agricultural techniques from Kageno and they provide me with seedlings. Since 2011, I have been making money from the vegetables I grow and feed my family. All of my children are in school and eat lunch provided by Kageno. I am proud none of my children have ever suffered malnutrition.
Video Narrated by Drena De Niro
marie
“I saw the importance of what Kageno did for our community. When I was old enough I got a job at Kageno cleaning the schools. I learned to save and budget.”
INCOME GENERATION
My name is Marie. Growing up here, I saw the importance of what Kageno did for our community. When I was old enough I got a job at Kageno cleaning the schools. I learned to save and budget.
Because I could take care of myself, I got the fiancée of my choosing. I am married to the man I love.
We invested well and now have our house, built, as I desired. We bought some land to farm and a cow. We provide for our children. Special thanks to Kageno.
Video narrated by Minnie Driver
Klaini
“My Job is part of a program that gives poachers a chance to work at something other than stealing from the forest. I was taught as part of the program to appreciate the forest and understand I need to protect it.”
EDUCATION + CONSERVATION + AGRICULTURE
My name is Klaini Nkangabeshi, I live in Banda. I am 64 and was once a well known Poacher. I poached in Nyungwe National Park for 18 years. I killed many animals, collected honey and sometimes burned the forest, extracted minerals and collected plants for medicines.
Now I am a porter for Kageno. I help to deliver porridge to the local schools. My Job is part of a program that gives poachers a chance to work at something other than stealing from the forest. I was taught as part of the program to appreciate the forest and understand I need to protect it.
One day on the way to work I found an injured Duiker on the road, I picked him up and carried him to the ranger post to receive treatment. That day that I knew I was an Ex-poacher.
I now have a role in Nyungwe conservation I raise awareness among other community members and work with Park rangers in joint patrols to remove the traps/snares set by poachers to kill wild animals. I have also become a farmer I grow pineapples and have a modern banana plantation. I keep a cow that provides me with manure to fertilize my land and milk to feed my big family.
I raise small livestock like guinea pigs and rabbits as an alternative source of meat. It is no longer necessary to kill park animals. I encourage poachers to abandon their risky and illegal activity and join Kageno for the best living conditions. I know most of them; it is just a matter of convincing them. I hope that Kageno will also give them employment so they can enjoy a better life and help save the forest too.
HEALTHCARE + FEEDING PROGRAM
My name is Chantal Nyiransabimana. I live in Banda with my daughter. When I was a teenager, I moved to the city of Kigali for work. I became pregnant, but the father abandoned me.
My situation brought great shame to my family, so I hid inside the house. When I gave birth to my daughter Blade. I could not afford health care, food and could not breast-feed my baby. Fortunately, a Kageno health care worker made a home visit; and noticed that Blade was suffering from severe malnutrition. They had me bring Blade to Kageno feeding program. It took a whole year until she got well.
This year Blade was admitted to Kageno’s Nursery school. My wish for her is to study further and specialize in forestry, because all my neighbors who work in Nyungwe have the best well livings. My words cannot express the importance of Kageno to my family and Blades future.
Video narrated by Meryl Streep
Chantal
“I could not afford health care, food and could not breast-feed my baby. Fortunately, a Kageno healthcare worker made a home visit; and noticed that Blade was suffering from severe malnutrition. They had me bring Blade to Kageno feeding program. It took a whole year until she got well.”
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