Program completed: Changing hygiene, sanitation, and nutrition behaviors in Rwanda.

2016 – 2020

FXB Rwanda completed hygiene, sanitation and nutrition behavior change programs for vulnerable families in Nyanza district.

Context

Rwanda is still affected by the 1994 genocide, during which nearly one million Tutsis were massacred. The democratically elected Rwandan Patriotic Front gradually restored order, security and then civil service and ensured the stability of the country.

Rwanda was one of the few countries that had been able to achieve most of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals. Substantial progress has been made in poverty reduction, education and HIV prevention.

Despite these successes, Rwanda is still a poor country, ranked 160th out of 189 by the latest UNDP Human Development Index in 2020. It faces significant development challenges. Chronic malnutrition, poor infrastructure, lack of access to electricity, early childhood development, child mortality, the quality of education and the prevention of violence against children all require sustained attention.

FXB in action

Partner in the Nyanza district of a five-year project, locally called Gikuriro, funded by USAID/PEPFAR and implemented by Catholic Relief Services, Dutch Cooperation, and Rwandan organizations, FXB Rwanda organizes the construction of covered latrines and handwashing stations and runs health clubs in 420 villages to train community members in good WASH practices. The goal is to change the behaviours and practices of 50,000 vulnerable families.

Impact

FXB Rwanda trained more than 134,000 people in appropriate behaviors and good practices in WASH. Among them, 117,000 built covered latrines and hand-washing stations.

A large program called Kura Mwana, designed to improve the nutritional behaviors and WASH practices of 63,000 children under the age of five and pregnant and lactating women in Huye District, reached 95% of its initial targets in the summer of 2019.