Raising Pigs & Training Locals.
“You can read smiles on everyone’s faces because the malnutrition of their children has gone!”
The women testify that because of the impact the pigs are having in their families, peace has prevailed at home and there is a positive behavior change of children in their schooling.
Rise Up joined ALARM-Rwanda in an Economic Empowerment & Community Transformation Project in the Burera District of Rwanda in 2020. This area was extremely hard hit by the 1994 genocide and to this day remains impacted by single-parent households, led primarily by women or young family members. Poor rural households who farm small plots are most at risk.
Because land is limited and finding sustainable employment is not easy, community members must find ways to increase the yield of their crops and create an income source in order to meet their basic needs (i.e. food, housing, education, and health care). The land is fertile but limited, so improved agricultural practices and animal ownership are critical to their livelihood.
In addition to operating a working farm and training local residents in agriculture, 40 community members were trained in animal husbandry, farming techniques, and were given piglets to raise.
Meet Two of the Community Members
“My pig had 6 piglets. My family life has improved because of the pig I received from ALARM-Rwanda. As a widow with three children, I am now able to pay their school fees and health insurance. The fear of seeing my children malnourished has totally gone because I have a kitchen garden with different kinds of vegetables throughout the year that we consume and sell to neighbors.”
–Jacqueline, Pig Owner, Farmer, & Business Owner
“I am a mother of five children and a wife. I was working hard alone to feed my children even though my husband was there. Unfortunately, two children fell malnourished. Desperate, without knowing what I should do, ALARM came in the midst and gave me a pig that grew up and raised my hope. Using the manure according to ALARM’s education, I planted a garden that I use to cook at every meal which has improved the diet of my children and they are no longer malnourished. ALARM caught me on the way to divorce. I thank ALARM who healed my mind, my children, and brought back the love and togetherness in my family.”
–Florida, Pig Owner, Farmer, & Business Owner
What difference can owning a pig make?
A pig’s compost contributes to the harvesting of greens, beans, and maize which ultimately reduces malnutrition in the community.
A pig’s offspring can be sold for profit which provides income for families to use for health insurance, school fees, and other basic needs.
When neighbors work together to breed their pigs, the pass-it-forward approach builds bridges of trust among neighbors and empowers community members to pass along the blessing of a pig to their neighbor and keeps the program going.
You can invest in the lives of women like Jacqueline and Florida by investing in the work of Rise Up. We appreciate you!
