The aim of the trip was to visit World Relief Rwanda‘s water project activities in Ngoma district, Rukumberi sector, funded by Rwanda Prayer Banquet USA. The organization was represented by Ms. Antoinette Kanyabutembo, the founder of the Rwanda Prayer Banquet USA. From World Relief Rwanda side, we had Moses Ndahiro, the Country Director, Michael Ntambara, the PIQ senior Manager, Didace Munyemana, the water project technical officer, Phocas Niyonsenga Mukezamfura, Rukumberi Sector Promoter, and Rebero Jean d’Amour the water Project Coordinator. We visited the following sites:

• ADEPR Rukumberi Water Project site. There, we had a brief introduction of guests by Michael Ntambara. Rebero Jean d’Amour then explained Water project activities, introduced the types of filters and the work done by volunteers. On site, the Water Project volunteers were washing sand used in filters and explained to guests the sand-washing process.
• ADEPR Rubona Primary School is located near the Water Project Site. There, we discussed with the school Head Teacher who told us how useful filters are to the school and the students. “More SAM II filters will help us eradicate the problem of drinking uncleaned water for learners, teachers, and people surrounding the school”, he said. The filter serves clean water to 702 people including 686 pupils, 14 teachers, and 2 labor wages. Before getting these filters, they were drinking water from the river around, Akagera, rainwater and Sake Lake, and Birira Lake, which caused waterborne diseases.
• A beneficiary’s household who received a filter to help with the clean water problem. Mukamurenzi Jaqueline is a 38-year-old mother living in NGOMA DISTRICT, RUKUMBERI SECTOR, RUBONA CELL, MASWA I VILLAGE. She is married to Twagerayezu Jean Bosco, currently not living with the family. Together, they have six children, all live with their mother. “Life was hard living with six children without my husband,” she said. The church identified Jacqueline as vulnerable and put her on the list of people to receive the filter. “Before receiving the filter, my children would drink any water that we did not boil or prepare in any way because the firewood is expensive. The water we use is from Lake Birira near us, or sometimes we would use rainwater. My children would often suffer from water-borne diseases or get a cold because of what we drank. My children are no longer getting sick as often as they used to, and it helps me go to the hospital less. I am grateful to World Relief and the church for helping me get this filter because it helps my family,” said Jacqueline.
• SAM II filter installed at Rukumberi Health Center. There, we spoke with Dusingizimana Jonas who is in charge of the staff at the health center, Leonilla Mukagasana who works in Customer care, and Telesphore Ntaharaye who is in charge of hygiene at the Rukumberi Health Center in Ngoma District. “This hospital was considered because it is in an area where it is surrounded by lakes and people have no access to clean water,” said Jonas. “On a daily basis, the health center services at least 100 people, and if any of them wants to drink water or to use it to take their medicine, then they have a cup and use water from the filter “added Leonilla. This filter came when needed because water is scarce in this area, and sometimes in the dry season, it is hard to find one gallon of water for patients. When the filter has a problem, they call a WRR volunteer to help and do the maintenance.