Inclusive Mission for Health and Hope Donates 60 Rabbits to Vulnerable Households In Kamonyi District

                                    MHH beneficiaries receive their rabbits at Rugalika Sector

On the 27th of February, 2026, Rwandan non-government organization Inclusive Mission for Health and Hope in partnership with Hirschfeld-Eddy-Stiftung (HEF) donated 60 rabbits to vulnerable households including HIV-affected persons and marginalized communities in Rugalika Sector of Kamonyi District, such as sexual minorities, female sex workers, among others with the goal to promote sustainable livelihoods, dignity, and social inclusion. 

Inclusive Mission for Hope and Health (IMHH) representatives, on this day along with the Executive Secretary of Rugalika Sector in Kamonyi District distributed a number of 60 rabbits amongst 30 families to whom these rabbits will serve as a small stepping stone for them to improve their livelihoods by being able to take care of these domestic animals to the pointing of breeding and multiplication, whose yields shall be put onto the market after passing on a rabbit or two to the next family that may need this kind of support, so that they and the people around these communities may be able to afford daily basic needs such as soap and salt, and even public medical insurance which is known Mutuelle de Sante since most do not have the sponsors for it even when the prices are being increased from what has been the usual price for this particular service.

Speaking at the event, Nkurunziza Jean de Dieu, Executive Secretary of Rugalika Sector, urged the beneficiaries to take good care of the livestock and also honor the agreement of being able to extend an offspring or two of the rabbits once they have bred and produced. He then goes on to thank the IMHH for this step taken and urges the people to make produce of the little they have been provided with to be able to afford basic everyday needs and also even some meat where possible, since sometimes it can be hard for some households to access meat since it’s become so expensive over time as had been mentioned by one of the beneficiary individuals of IMHH earlier on through an exchange during an interaction towards the speech.

         Nkurunziza Jean de Dieu, Executive Secretary of Rugalika Sector

 “We urge you to extend the favor to others, to sustain your income and contribute to the development of your livelihoods and of your neighbors, and therefore our country at large. It is also vital that you report and provide timely and  accurate information on the health of the animals so they may be tended to and treated at early stages in case of any infection or affliction”, he said.

The initiative to donate livestock to these families was a request made through the administration of Rugalika Sector to IMHH for support providing “shorter” livestock to vulnerable households in this community following the partnerships they’d been having through IMHH and their supporters and benefactors paying medical insurance and helping to build houses and also renovate for those who can not afford to on their own. 

IMHH representative Theogene addressing the community before they received their donation

According to the beneficiaries of this joint initiative among these good-willing organizations, they are grateful for the rabbits and will now be able to eat meat on festive days and also buy basic needs such as soap, salt, cooking oil, and for some who say they will ow be able to pay their own medical insurance known as Mituelle de Sante since they no longer have sponsors to foot this bill for them. 

“These rabbits will be of good use to my household and add to my usual short-term wages that I usually earn from farming other people’s land for a small fee. I dig for a living and that is how I am able to buy a skirt and a Kitenge, but now I can even buy soap to wash up and clean them. I will buy salt and eventually another kitenge for myself and my family. I am so grateful for this because I don’t have much anyway.”, said Cecilia Mukarutesi, a beneficiary residing in Rugalika Sector.

This activity comes a as a follow up of the series of initiative where IMHH has been distributing seeds of hope through similar communities in different districts of Rwanda, where the aim and goal is to reach as many families within the country as possible, and then eventually several parts of the continent in the fight against stigma, poverty, and food insecurity among disadvantaged and vulnerable persons and communities. With comparison to the previous intervention launched in Rubavu in 2025, during which 40 chickens were provided to vulnerable households. This program is designed to continue in the coming years as part of our shared commitment to combating poverty and strengthening household resilience, as is discussed by Augustin Bahati, the Executive Director and volunteer at IMHH.

“The initiative carried out by IMHH in partnership with Hirschfeld-Eddy-Stiftung (HEF) in Kamonyi District, where 60 rabbits were distributed, builds on a similar intervention launched in Rubavu in 2025, during which 40 chickens were provided to vulnerable households. This program is designed to continue in the coming years through our ongoing collaboration with HEF, as part of our shared commitment to combating poverty and strengthening household resilience. The distribution of small livestock specifically targets disadvantaged families facing particular vulnerabilities, including HIV-affected persons and marginalized communities such as sexual minorities and female sex workers, with the goal of promoting sustainable livelihoods, dignity, and social inclusion.”, Executive Director and volunteer at IMHH, Augustin Bahati.

He also adds that although as we celebrate this progress, we must also acknowledge a deeper reality that the need remains vast. Across many rural communities in Rwanda, countless families are still struggling without access to productive assets. Many households, especially widows, elderly caregivers, child-headed families, and those affected by chronic illness continue to face food insecurity and limited income opportunities. For them, a single domestic animal can mean meat for children, manure for crops, and offspring that multiply hope over time.

The intervention in Rugalika Sector is a seed planted but the field is much larger. There are still many villages where families wait for the same opportunity to stand on their own feet. The demand for livestock support in rural Rwanda far exceeds the current supply of assistance.

“Let us therefore continue walking this journey together. Through partnership, compassion, and sustained commitment, more vulnerable households can be reached hence the expansion of this initiative to other sectors and districts. Every contribution, small or large, moves the collective closer to transforming lives and strengthening community resilience without any discrimination.”, concluded Bahati in his speech about this activity and its aim and goal towards the development of the livelihoods of individuals from vulnerable communities and the combat against poverty and its effects. 

Mont Jali News.