Skip to content
ISOKO Y'UBUZIMA

Is a 5-year USAID-funded project implemented from July 2021 through July 2026 by a consortium led by Water For People to improve Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) services in rural areas of Rwanda.

Rwanda01_Rulindo_Ntarabana_20180723-30
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 1

Improve WASH Governance
Strengthening the capacity of government and private sector to sustain water systems for 20 years, even 40 years. 

Rwanda01_Rulindo_Ntarabana_20180723-43
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 2

Improve drinking water services
Build the capacity of Private Operators to identify water losses and stop them and contribute to Non-Revenue Water reduction of 25% over the next 5 years.

Rwanda10_Gicumbi_Manyagiro_20180726
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 3

Improve sanitation and handwashing services and products
More Rwandans will have improved water and hygiene, and therefore greater protection against waterborne diseases, improved nutritional status, improved household economy, improved school attendance, etc.

WHO WE ARE

Isoko y’Ubuzima is a 5-year USAID-funded project implemented from July 2021 through July 2026 by a consortium led by Water For People to improve WASH service delivery. Other members of the consortium are IRC, Vitens Evides International (VEI), CARE International, and African Evangelistic Enterprise (AEE).

Isoko y’Ubuzima has a budget of $21,000,000 to channel the consortium experience in working closely with national and district governments, the private sector, communities, and realize improved water access for 100,000 Rwandans.

The implementation follows the District Wide Approach that was approved by the Ministry of Infrastructure and piloted in 5 districts, to ensure sustainable access to clean water for everyone. The District Wide Approach was born out of Water For People’s Everyone Forever Model, which seeks to bring sustainable WASH services to every community, school, and clinic in a district.

Currently, the approach is being rolled out to sustain major achievements under Isuku Iwacu, a USAID-funded program that was implemented by Water For People and SNV from 2016-2020.

Isoko y’Ubuzima will provide technical and financial support for the Government of Rwanda through 3 major strategic objectives which are:

• Improve WASH governance
• Improve drinking water services
• Improve sanitation and handwashing services and products

The overall Isoko y’Ubuzima goal is to increase and sustain equitable access to and use of safe drinking water and sanitation services. This will reduce families’ health, economic, and social burdens due to the lack of WASH services.

Consortium Members

Targets

PROGRESS (2024)

Area of Interventions

0

People will gain access to basic drinking water services

0

Will receive improved service quality from an existing basic or safely managed drinking water service

0

People will gain access to basic sanitation services

0

People gained access to basic drinking water services

0

People received improved service quality from an existing basic or safely managed drinking water service

0

People gained access to basic sanitation services

What's New with Isoko y'Ubuzima?

From Passive Sales to Dynamic Community Outreach: Fanny’s Journey in Sanitation Entrepreneurship

17 October 2024

Tuyizere Francoise, popularly known as Fanny, operates a sanitation showroom in Kaduha Sector, Nyamagabe District, Southern Rwanda. Her journey in sanitation entrepreneurship began in September 2022 with the support of the USAID-funded Isoko y’Ubuzima project. Trained by Isoko y’Ubuzima as a hygiene focal person and a member of the "Abatanyuranya (the Unanimous)" village savings and…

Continue Reading

HUMAN-CENTERED DESIGN FOR AFFORDABLE SANITATION SOLUTIONS

06 August 2024

How terribly frustrating it must be to understand the importance of good sanitation in our homes for the health and safety of our family members, and yet not be able to afford the needed changes. Sylvie Niyingenera is a mother from Kirehe District, Musaza Sector, who says she cannot afford a concrete slab in the…

Continue Reading

The Importance of Reducing Non-Revenue Water for Sustainable Water Management

31 July 2024

Water is scarce, and its availability is essential for health and social and economic development. However, the increasing population and economic growth put pressure on water resources, leading to water scarcity. In rural areas in Rwanda, the situation is no different, and the demand for clean and safe drinking water is increasing rapidly. Non-Revenue Water…

Continue Reading

WATER IMPROVES SCHOOL PERFORMANCE

22 July 2024

Gatongati Village, nestled in the remote reaches of Nyanza District’s Cyabakamyi Sector, is experiencing a transformational journey propelled by a fundamental necessity: clean water. Ferina Mujara, a community member whose story epitomizes the profound impact of improved water access on education and overall well-being, narrates the change. Before the rehabilitation of the water supply system,…

Continue Reading

DQ SELLING: REVOLUTIONIZING SANITATION PRODUCT SALES

04 April 2024

In the ever-evolving landscape of sales and behavior change, a shift is taking place –*Decision Quotient (DQ) Selling. It’s not just about closing deals; it’s about empowering customers to make the most informed choices, even if it means not buying your product or service at the moment. As a Whitten and Scott Roy consultant put…

Continue Reading

ACCESS TO PERMANENT RUNNING WATER, A WISH GRANTED, SAYS ANITHA

08 March 2024

In the serene, sun-kissed lands of a remote community, of Kabare Sector, Kayonza District, there existed a tale of resilience, fortitude, and the pursuit of a fundamental need: water. Among those who experienced the profound transformation brought about by access to safe water is Anitha Mukarutabana, a spirited member of this close-knit community. Recounting the…

Continue Reading

Transforming Hygiene and Sanitation practices in her community

21 February 2024

This is an inspiring story of Emilienne Ahobantegeye, a community member in Kirehe District, Musaza Sector, Rwanda, who made significant investments in improving hygiene and sanitation at the household level. Through her dedication and hard work, she has not only improved her own life but has also become a leading advocate, driving a positive change…

Continue Reading

WOMEN BOOSTING THE SANITATIONCHANGES WE NEED IN THE COMMUNITY

06 July 2023

Isoko y’Ubuzima is a 5-year USAID-funded project implemented from July 2021 through July 2026 by a consortium led by Water For People to improve water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) service delivery. Other members of the consortium are IRC, Vitens Evides International (VEI), CARE International, and African Evangelistic Enterprise (AEE). The overall Isoko y’Ubuzima goal is…

Continue Reading

No regrets for investing in sanitation

06 January 2023

It’s been five months since Valentine Uwamahoro says she first heard about the importance of constructing an improved latrine for her family. The USAID-funded Isoko y’Ubuzima project community mobilizers, together with the volunteers of "Twungurane Ibitekerezo," a village savings and loan association (VSLA), visited her community to facilitate access to basic sanitation and hygiene services. …

Continue Reading

Access to basic sanitation:  Inclusively overcoming the challenges 

06 January 2023

Thousands of rural households in Rwanda still lack access to sanitation and hygiene services. and for people living with disabilities, the lack of access to hygiene and sanitation services and products is even more complex. Rwanda aims to reach universal access to basic sanitation and hygiene services by 2024 and safely managed by 2030; presently,…

Continue Reading

FEATURED: Alleviating malnutrition and WASH challenges through innovative solutions

A family is widely recognized as the central and important social institution for healthy children and adults' growth and development. Improved nutritional status and health, access to clean water, basic toilets, adopting good hygiene practices, the inclusion of children with disabilities, and the wellbeing of children in general, and women of reproductive age are significant support families deserve to achieve a healthier society.

Rwanda and US launched 2 projects which will improve access to clean water and reduce malnutrition

RBANews #RBAAmakuru #Rwanda #RBAHafiYaweClick here to SUBSCRIBE : https://www.youtube.com/user/RwandanTV?sub_confirmation=1Follow us on Twitter: https://t...

Rwanda06_Rulindo_BinagaSchool_20180725-76

Current WASH Situation

24.9%

Of households lack access to basic sanitation services.

 

Ministry of Infrastructure. (2021). WASH Management Information System Report 2021. Page ii. Government of Rwanda

27.8%

Of households lack improved sanitation at the national level.

 

National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda. (2020). Rwanda Household Survey 2019/2020. Page 6. Government of Rwanda

 

24.3%

Only on average are households with access to basic hygiene services

 

Ministry of Infrastructure. (2021). WASH Management Information System Report 2021. Page iii. Government of Rwanda

42.1%

Of households have access to basic water supply services

 

Ministry of Infrastructure. (2021). WASH Management Information System Report 2021. Page ii. Government of Rwanda

56.8%

Of households are using an improved water source that is within 500m in rural settings


National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda. (2020). Rwanda Household Survey 2019/2020. Page 6. Government of Rwanda

23.7%

Of households have no access at all to water supply services


Ministry of Infrastructure. (2021). WASH Management Information System Report 2021. Page iv. Government of Rwanda

The current WASH situation statistics are due in part to:

• Low access and willingness to invest in improvements in WASH facilities
• Low demand for improved sanitation and willingness to pay
• Lack of WASH coordination between central and local governments, absence of District WASH Investment Plans, and skilled WASH staff

What Do We Know?

With proper management, a water scheme can last an average of 20 years.

When water infrastructure needs to be repaired, the average cost is 30% of its original cost.

Non-Revenue Water is 42.2%. Water losses in the distribution networks are caused by leakages in the pipe networks, water theft, improper metering, and billing errors.

There was a loss of RWF 17.6 billion, which in turn could fund more than 704.9 km of new systems. 

Low demand of WASH services is linked to an increase of health challenges, a special mention going to COVID-19 and diarrhea.

Going from 75.1% sanitation coverage to universal coverage needs a multisectoral collaboration.

Strategic Objective 1
Improve WASH governance

Strengthening the capacity of government and private sector to sustain water systems for 20 years, even 40 years.

Strategic Objective 2
Improve drinking water services

Build the capacity of Private Operators to identify water losses and stop them and contribute to Non-Revenue Water reduction of 25% over the next 5 years.

Strategic Objective 3
Improve sanitation and handwashing services and products

More Rwandans will have improved sanitation and hygiene, and therefore greater protection against waterborne diseases, improved nutritional status, improved household economy (fewer days lost from work and less spent on hospitals), improved school attendance, etc.

Gender, Equity, and Social Inclusion (GESI)

The Government of Rwanda’s GESI policy increased women’s participation in national decision-making, yet, this is not mirrored in district and community levels, where women-led structures could assist to realize improved WASH access for women.

Jointly with districts, Isoko y’Ubuzima will:

• Integrate strategies to cultivate political leaders as WASH champions and mainstream GESI
• Engage the National WASH Working Group to include the updated assessment’s GESI-related findings for an action plan on the GESI barrier, report progress, and actions annually, and convene the Chamber of Women’s Entrepreneurs to share findings for an action plan

• Raise awareness of Private Operators in the WASH sector on GESI issues to adapt and market their services to fit the needs
• Support women’s participation in the Forum des Exploitants Privés des Systemes d’Eau et Assainissement au Rwanda (FEPEAR)
• Using dialogue to address GESI norms that may undermine women, people with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups’ participation
• Provide capacity building and facilitate access to networks for women private operators through the Chamber of Women Entrepreneurs.

Beatrice with other committee members discussing on WASH issues

Want to learn more about Isoko y’Ubuzima?
Please contact us:

Water For People
Kigali Rwanda
Gasabo, Kacyiru
KG 7 Ave, Kigali, House # 54

Email: [email protected]
Telephone: +250 788 302 111