Bringing clean water to thousands in RwandaA joint collaboration between Nestlé S.A, the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) and Inter-Faith Action for Peace in Africa (IFAPA) will bring safe water to up to 21,600 people in Gatore, Kirehe, Eastern Rwanda. This offers a new model of cooperation between religious communities and public and private sectors in pursuit of human development and peace.
The project inaugurated on March 19, 2008, will provide piped water services to supplement existing water infrastructure and contribute to ensure access to water and sanitation facilities in the region. This will have a significant positive impact on health, hygiene and economic output in Kirehe. Supplying water directly to schools will greatly reduce the burden on children and mothers, who spend up to 12 hours collecting the minimum of 60 liters a family needs for domestic use every day.
Nestlé provided financial and technical support for the project. A retiree from Nestlé Waters, Jean-Louis Croville who headed the group’s water resources and water processes department from 1991 to 2007, is bringing his vast technical expertise to the project.
OPENING CEREMONY: From left; Niels Christiansen, Nestlé S.A; Bikoro Munyanganizi, Minister for Water, Environment and Natural Resources; Sheikh Saleh Habimana, Mufti of Rwanda; Mayor of Gatore and Dr Ishmael Noko, General Secretary of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF).
Niels Christiansen, Global VP of Public Affairs for Nestlé, inaugurated the project with Dr. Ishmael Noko, General Secretary of the LWF, and Bikoro Munyanganizi, Rwanda’s Minister for Water, Environment & Natural Resources. “The provision of clean drinking water to such a large number of people fits clearly within Nestlé’s fundamental aim of making investments that have lasting benefits to society. With a manufacturing presence in Africa since 1927 and products in 53 African countries, Nestlé has been involved in helping to tackle some of the continent’s key challenges for decades. We are delighted to partner IFAPA and the LWF in this critical venture to create sustainable water solutions for communities in Africa,” Christiansen said.
The project will be managed by a local water users’ committee, including representatives from all major religious communities present in the area. Women are well represented on the water users’ committee and will play a key role in ensuring community ownership and good management of the project.
“We are committed to managing the water system, we know we have to ensure that when the system has a problem we are responsible to make sure it is maintained”, said Marie Jeanne Uwanyirigira, as she received a certificate recognising her role on the water users’ committee.
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