Based on experiences, the lessons learned in the genocide where Rwandan destructed their development activities because they have never been consulted before or involved in their development;
The Nyabihu District, based on that took decision to involve as many as possible population to be part of the decision making and being part of the think tank of their district with other key stakeholders like civil society, private sector, local leaders, opinion leaders to be in one team.
Based on the principle of “If you plan without me, you are planning against me” we in Nyabihu District in our plans, basically in our performance contracts, district development plans, budgets are oriented to resolve those issues related to poor’s, elders, women’s promotions…... We involved the above teams as mentioned to help district to think outside of the box, so that we can be more competitiveness, transparency and accountable to our peoples by considering those above particular cases.
However, after an evaluation we did in that period, we found that the activities done with involvement of the peoples where they were part in the decisions making, have been sustainable, maintained and they are the one who protected them, which is different in the genocide where peoples destructed the infrastructures because they do not have any idea on cost, its important etc…
For example, we have 238 rooms of basic schools well known as 9YBE and 12YBE (Basic education), where local population played an important role by contributing at least more than 30% of the total budget expected, so that other budget was invested in other development activities. Note that, the schools now have been constructed by themselves; they contributed to the education standards and supervised the works by themselves.
In conclusion, involving local peoples or other vulnerable groups in our district, have been too benefit to our population because, the activities such as infrastructures which cost much, somehow, if peoples are well mobilized and motivated as we are doing it now in all our plans, we found that even the projects can be less expensive because some peoples are actively involved and can leave their lands freely if for example we are constructing modern roads, modern markets, electrification and distribution…..
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