Location
Ndera, Gasabo District, Kigali City, Rwanda
Community Description
Ndera, a sector in Gasabo District, is located in Kigali City, Rwanda.
The youth involved with this project are predominantly orphans and vulnerable children (OVCs) from the Icyerekezo cooperative (“Icyerekezo” in Kinyarwanda means “Vision”).
At the cooperative, the Akazi Kanoze (Youth Livelihoods Project) seeks to provide revenue-producing activities for the youth.
At present, the youth produce cocoons as their sole income-generating project. This has not been sufficient to provide a living income for the participants. The youth have sought to add more income-generating activities.
Project Description
This is a project to combine aquaculture with rabbits as a business to be run by the Youth Livelihoods Project.
Several suspending wire bottom cages will be constructed over a fish pond. Adjacent to the pond is a small stream. An underground pipeline will be installed from the stream to channel water into the pond. The flow of underground water from the stream will increase the oxygen level of the pond for the fish. A natural drainage point will be constructed to help with the flow of water out of the pond to maintain a balanced water level.
The pond will be drained and cleaned. To reduce pond manure and bacteria from building up, gravel and sand will be added at the bottom of the pond. This will help break down decaying plants, fish waste, and other organic materials that can possibly be deposited at the bottom of the pond.
The youth will farm Tilapia and Ishonzi (North African catfish). They will start with approximately 30kg of fish eggs from the Ministry of Agriculture (MINAGRI).
Once the pond is cleaned, the suspending wire bottom cages will be constructed to accommodate rabbits. Rabbit manure will drop from the cages into the pond. The droppings of rabbits will be used as food for the fish.
The youth will start with 10 rabbits. Since rabbits are fast breeders, the participants will be able to start generating an income in a short period of time by selling mature rabbits.
Female rabbits breed at 6 to 7 months of age. They usually give birth after a month of gestation. Female rabbits can produce approximately 6-9 kits per birth. The average female rabbits produce up to 50 kits annually.
After the cages are constructed and the pond is cleaned, a fence will be placed around the pond to prevent theft. With proper maintenance, the pond will be self-sustaining.
Project Impact
This project will promote a sustainable economic livelihood to the 58 people, consisting of members of the cooperative and those they support.
Peace Corps Volunteer Directing Project
Mikerlange Remplait and Taylor Warren
Comments
This innovative project is sure to have a huge impact on the well-being of the participants and those who depend on them. With few economic opportunities available to them, this plan carries great potential for them to earn an income and also produce food that they can consume.
Dollar Amount of Project
$500.00
Donations Collected to Date
$500.00
Dollar Amount Needed
$0.00 – This project has been fully funded through the generosity of the Elmo Foundation.
We encourage others to continue to donate using the Donate button below, and we will notify Peace Corps Volunteers Mikerlange Remplait and Taylor Warren of your donation. Additional funds will be used to fund the next project by them and/or those of other PCVs in the country of service.
This project has been finished. To read about the conclusion of the project, CLICK HERE.