RDO Rwanda introduces innovative approach to tackle the impact of AIDS/HIV in Rwanda

Nov. 28, 2012 - PRLog -- As World AIDS Day approaches, Kigali based NGO, Rwanda Development Organisation (RDO Rwanda), is introducing innovative farming investment to help 1,200 people who are struggling to get out of poverty due to the affects of HIV/AIDS.

The legacy of the 1994 Genocide continues to affect millions of Rwandans. Many had to flee their homes, and sexual assaults were numerous – resulting in the increased spread of HIV/AIDS. Many have resorted to selling land used to grow cops in order to raise short term funds – creating a poverty trap that is near impossible to exit.

Following a series of reviews and consultations, RDO Rwanda has identified an innovative potential solution to help arrest the situation – through the cultivation and sales of mushroom crops. Mushroom production is cost-effective, requires small space, and uses limited fertilisers and pesticides. More importantly, mushrooms attract a relatively substantial profit margin and once the initial investment is completed the project becomes self-sufficient, removing the need for repeat intervention.  

In 2013, RDO Rwanda proposes a three stage investment to build the facility. The first stage will see the building of a growing and storage facility, with the capacity to growing from 6,400kg of seeds every year. Once in place RDO Rwanda will also ensure the correct raw materials are in place and, finally, a team from the local area is fully trained in the growing, harvesting, storage and sales of the crops.

This is the first such site to be developed in the way in Rwanda’s Eastern Province – and RDO Rwanda will continue to identify further sites and communities that will benefit from similar developments.

Further details regarding this, RDO Rwanda’s other projects can and how they can be supported can be found at:

www.rdorwanda.org    

www.globalgiving.org/projects/rdo-rwanda

ENDS

Press Contact:

Paul Titley, Business and Project Advisor, RDO.

Paul.titley.rdo@aol.com

+250787315370

About RDO

RDO is a not for profit NGO, based in Kigali, Rwanda. RDO has been established for nearly 20 years, forming in the wake of the Genocide to assist communities that had been displaced from their homes, and were struggling to regain their livelihoods following the horrific events of 1994.

Since formation, RDO has continually worked across a range of agriculturally-based projects – improving the skills and tools used by the rural communities in order to remove any threat of hunger, and also to promote commercial practices in order to raise the incomes and opportunities of the beneficiaries of each project.

Eugine Rwibasira is the Executive Secretary of RDO.

http://rdorwanda.org/

Rwanda Development Organisation (RDO)

Nr Bralirwa, Kicukiro

P.O.Box 368

Kigali

Rwanda

ENDS