Visit the SACOLA Community Rwanda popularly known as the Sabyinyo Community Livelihood Association-SACOLA is a non-profit-making association formed in 2004 by communities living close to the Volcanoes National Park living in the former Kinigi district.
The SACOLA community Rwanda as association is primarily geared for conservation of the Volcanoes National Park and mainly the mountain gorillas. Support the local people to initiate development activities for improving their livelihoods, geared to limit the threats to Volcanoes National Park.
Pupils attending classes in one of the classrooms, part of SACOLA Community Rwanda.
The SACOLA Community Rwanda Vision is “Improve community living standards and sustainable natural resources management within the Virunga zone and help transform livelihoods from a poor class to a progressive sustainable income earning community”.
SACOLA Community Rwanda Association, through its community projects and partnerships, has been able to help sustain day-today livelihood for the communities adjacent to the Park, especially through revenue collection from its projects. The SACOLA Community Rwanda projects include:-
- 5800 Houses connected to electricity
- 12km of road constructed
- The creation of vegetable gardens for a community farming project
- The reconstruction of a local primary schools pupils including construction of 71 classrooms.
- The equipping of local schools with desks.
- The provision of school fees for children from the poorest families.
- The construction and equipping of computer labs for the local community.
- The building of homes for survivors from the genocide
- The protection of water dispersal systems and erosion control
- The setting up of a tourist “Community Walk” enhancing local crafts and businesses
- The construction of a Community Cultural Centre
- The construction of a small amphitheater
- The construction of bridges in the local area
- The construction of a local nature walk.
- The construction of water tanks and water collection points for the community
- The construction / repairs of the buffalo wall along the park’s edge to protect farmer’s crops from marauding buffaloes
- The providing of support to local beekeepers
- The providing of financial support to the local guide cooperative
- The establishment and support of a local pig project.
- The establishment and support of a local sheep project
- The purchase of land for a poultry project for widows of the genocide.
- The creation of carpentry and other micro- enterprise workshops for the community.
- The financing of the construction of 2 SACCOS (community banks)
- Initiating a one family one cow program which provides cows to poor people in the local community.
- The donation of over 200 cows to the poorest members of the community.
- The construction and equipping of 28 homes for survivors of the genocide.
- The construction of two villages which house 126 formerly destitute farmers on the fringes of Parc National des Volcans in Rwanda”. The village provides houses, water tanks and plots of land to people living close to the edge of the national park who are being resettled within the framework of the park extension project.
- The construction of a Health Centre on the Nyange Sector.
- 220 School fees paid for children from poor families
- 7000 people with Health Insurance paid for
- 13,000 Avocado trees planted
- 30 Hectares of land donated for agricultural business
Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge has for many years played a big role in community support and development through lease fees paid by the lodge. These income streams are the driving force behind many local businesses and the construction of homes for needy families in the area. Guests staying at Sabinyo Silverback Lodge contribute directly to the welfare of the community.
Rwanda is such a remarkable safari destination in Africa with Nyungwe Forest National Park well known for Chimpanzee Safaris in Rwanda, Colobus monkeys and nature guided walks. Visiting the Akagera National Park will never disappoint for guests that wish to encounter wildlife animals including the Rhinos, Lions, Leopards, Hippos, Zebra, Giraffes etc