Gisagara-Gatsibo: More Citizens want to be included in the VUP
More citizens have requested to be included in the Vision 2020 Umurenge Program (VUP) after witnessing the positive changes among the program beneficiaries
In various parts of Rwanda, with the introduction of the Vision 2020 Umurenge Program (VUP) components, there are tangible facts of how the program brought changes among the community.
The program has led to the eradication of poverty, improved infrastructure, combating malnutrition among many others.
Following the obvious changes to the beneficiaries, some non-beneficiaries of the program are also demanding to be given the opportunity to join the program as they can see how their neighbors’ livelihoods improved since they enrolled in this Government assistance program.
In an interview with Top Africa News some of the residents of Gisagara and Gatsibo districts who are not among the beneficiaries confirm that based on the progress VUP has made to their neighbors, they have also raised their voices calling for their inclusion among the beneficiaries.
Habiyakare, a 54-year-old resident of Gitoki sector in Gatsibo district, said “My neighbor was enrolled in VUP and started working and paid. Then they give him a Rwf100,000 loan. He immediately started a business and now owns a shop and has already repaid the loan.”
“My wish is that I can also be enrolled in this program so that I can start a pig farming project which can help me in the family development.”
Muhorakeye, a resident of the Save sector in Gisagara district, also said: “Some of my fellow women had lived a miserable life, and I had a better life than they did. But by the time they got to VUP, I saw that their living conditions have changed, they have space in the market, and they have become businesswomen and are making money. I can testify that they have a better life than I do”
The two, as well as other non-beneficiaries, demand to be given the opportunity to be assisted in VUP.
MUKARWEGO UMUHOZA Immaculée, the Minimum Package Management at LODA, confirmed to TOP NEWS that they also receive such demands.
However, she added that it is difficult to address their request immediately due to financial constraints.
She said “All activities are based on national capacity. “
“VUP has started with 30 sectors and now we have more than 300 sectors with a VUP-public work component. And also you might be aware that the money the government spends on these activities includes a World Bank loan.” She explains
MUKARWEGO asserted that “We are not yet able to reach everyone who needs assistance, but we are proud of what has been achieved and are thinking of reaching out to as many people as possible.”
So far, the VUP-public works component operates in 300 out of 416 sectors in Rwanda, while the VUP-Direct Support component has reached out to all sectors.
Vision 2020 Umurenge Programme (VUP) – is an Integrated Local Development Program to Accelerate Poverty Eradication, Rural Growth, and Social Protection.
This is an initiative by the Government of Rwanda (GoR) in collaboration with development partners and NGOs
