Contribution to international development report: 2017-2018

Chapter Two - Rwanda

2.1. Introduction

Scotland's ongoing relationship with Rwanda has been cemented over the last decade by support and activities between the two countries, particularly in the areas of education and economic development. The Scottish Government have pledged to aid Rwanda's ongoing social and economic development and to contribute towards Rwanda's commitment to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals. As a result, there are now seven projects in Rwanda that are financed by the IDF. All of these projects are summarised in Annex A and there are links to their End Year Reports. They include projects like the Challenges Worldwide - Rwanda Coffee Market Building and the WaterAid - Health and Sanitation programme, which are discussed in this chapter.

2.2 Challenges Worldwide - Rwanda coffee market building for people and prosperity

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8 Decent Work and Economic Growth

2.2.1. Background

Rwanda is highly vulnerable to climate change because of the country's reliance on rain-fed agriculture, both for rural livelihoods and in the production of export crops.

Climate change has led to increased rainfall intensity in Rwanda over the past five decades and the trend is expected to continue, with an increase of 20% by 2050. This increase is likely to cause floods and storms, which can result in landslides, crop losses, health risks, and damage to infrastructure. The rainwater fluctuations will also have a considerable impact on tea and coffee with both droughts and flooding having a negative impact on harvest levels. This is particularly important as the coffee sector in Rwanda has played a key role in lifting Rwandans out of poverty.

2.2.2. The Project

The aim of the 'Rwanda coffee market building for people and prosperity' project is to promote sustainable economic development through building the capacity of coffee cooperatives and community members. The project will use a cost benefit model to increase awareness amongst coffee cooperatives on how the uptake of renewable energy and improved technology will improve business performance.

2.2.3. Contribution to Development 2017-2018

The Scottish Government has encouraged organisations to take an innovative and collaborative approach to their projects, as part of our commitment to Policy Coherence for Development. Challenges Worldwide have taken up this appeal and as a result, they included expertise from Twin, Enactus UK, Matthew Algie, and the Scottish Fair Trade Forum. As Dory McIntosh from Challenges Worldwide explains:

"As an international development agency that prioritises joined up development practice, Challenges Worldwide is particularly appreciative of the Scottish Government's approach to development. This approach, of seeking coherence and integration between funding streams, means that the impact of relatively small sums of money is enhanced and the normal "silo" approach to development programming is avoided.

The impact of this can be seen in Rwanda where the Scottish Government has funded two inter-linked projects implemented by Challenges Worldwide. The first is a development grant providing business training and promoting access to international markets for coffee cooperatives. This is underpinned by a climate justice initiative which is helping the cooperatives reduce both operating costs and carbon emissions by promoting the uptake of renewable energy for coffee washing. The interwoven nature of these two projects means that each project benefits from cost-savings and the crossover of knowledge and innovation while local communities can see an organised approach that tackles their needs as a whole and provides real value addition."

2.3. WaterAid - Improving health and sanitation in vulnerable communities and schools in the Southern Province of Rwanda by 2022

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3 Good Health and Well-being
5 Gender Equality
6 Clean Water and Sanitation

2.3.1. Background

Around the world there are millions of children that miss out on education and are exposed to deadly diseases because they don't have access to clean water, decent toilets, or have good hygiene habits at school. In Rwanda, especially in Nyamagabe District, most of the schools do not meet the National School Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene standards. At Nkumbure School, for example, 1,702 students have to share just 23 toilets and only have a supply of 300 m ³ of water for the entire academic year.

2.3.2. The Project

The aim of the WaterAid project is to improve health and sanitation in vulnerable communities and schools in Nyamagabe District, Rwanda. A teacher at Nyamagabe explains the need for the project:

"It is so hard for our girls to manage their periods hygienically when they are at school. Most of them prefer to stay at home. Even if we provide a girls room, girls don't use it regularly, because they are ashamed when boys and other young girls see them make their way from the classroom to the girls room."

2.3.3. Contribution to Development 2017-2018

• An inclusive school latrine, with eight stances and a Menstrual Hygiene Management room, was constructed at the school.
• A rainwater harvesting tank was constructed to provide the water required to clean the toilets and two hand-washing stations were also constructed.
• A School Hygiene Club was formed that organised the planting of trees around the newly constructed latrines to protect the structure against landslides or heavy winds.