REDEM envisions creating learning centers that will enhance sustainable rural economic development that is based on Community Driven Development. Through this approach, rural community members are always consulted for their economic potentials and know how. Our mission is therefore, to build on what people already have and know in line with National and International development strategies.

 

It is with this belief that in May 2017, we had a community consultative session with several citizens of Rwikiniro and Munini cells in Rwimbogo sector, Gatsibo distric of Eastern Provence, and asked them what they want as a sustainable support for their economic development. Their collective response was calling for a learning center in their community so that knowledge could come closer to them in avoidance of unnecessary costs they incur while traveling to seek knowledge.

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The intended knowledge and skills to bring to the rural community, will not only focus on addressing economic development issues but also social and health challenges. REDEM, in collaboration with Post-Harvest and Agri-Business Support Project (PASP) decided to respond to the citizens’ quest for the facility by constructing a storage facility first, but of which will be followed by construction of training halls in phase II and establishment of maize mills in phase III of the project at this particular site. 

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REDEM’s major goal, therefore, is to improve the quality of agricultural based economic development through bringing required knowledge and skills close to rural farmers. In order to achieve this goal, REDEM will construct a training hall and a storage facility in Ndama cell, Rwimbogo sector of Gatsibo district. REDEM chose this site because it is well located in the center of both crop and animal farmers of Gatsibo. This program was set up on a land size of 2 (two) hectares that are suitably located in a place for construction of facilities.

 

The area is easily accessible by beneficiaries because it is just on the major feeder road (Rwagitima finance—Mucucu) that connects the Akagera National park and Kigali-Kagitumba high way. The Ndama site is the pilot and the beginning of REDEM mission and of course if it succeeds as planned, it will be expanded to other parts of Rwanda in particular and the region at large, in the near future.