Presented by:

Gregoire BAKUNZI, AMAHORO TOURS.greg@redrocksrwanda.com

&

Jean d’Amour MANIRERE,manirerejd@gmail.com

PAMOJA Action, Rwanda.

Who we are P A M O J A Action

PAMOJA Action, Rwanda is a national NGO established in 2004 to focus on the interaction between locals and tourists to promote a sustainable local development and strengthening communities in order to improve the living conditions and quality of life through linking tourism & conservation to communities.

Operating in Musanze (Home to gorillas and bed to diverse cultural components), its services reached Nyabihu and BureraDistricts.

Target: Poor people, category 1 & 2 of UBUDEHE

Beneficiaries: Youth, Women, Foster families and Ex-poachers

Awards and recognition: Certificate of Merit by Musanze District and Appreciation certificate from RDB. Recognition letters from Gakenke, Burera and Musanze Districts.

Tourism linkages to communities cluster rate: 95%

How we work P A M O J A Action

Households

Economic

Strengthening

TOURISM &

CONSERVATION

RedRocksInterCulturalExchange Centre

Amahoro Integrated Development projects (AIDPs)

Shaggy Community TVET Centre

OpenLand Community Museum

Amahoro Tour Associations

KagogoCommunity Farming centre

Outcomes P A M O J A ActionLivelihoods improvements 45 Community Microcredit schemes / VSL

($1,000@group), Household income increased (10%)

Food Security improved from 0 meal per day to at least 1 meal (100%) to 2 meals per day (75%)

Nutrition (Dissemination of High iron Beans )

Youth employment and TVET (2,129 enrolled)

Health Insurance (100% ), reduction of water-borne diseases

8 Ha and 234 small livestock offered to communities

1,432 agro-forestry species (by communities, i.e: 2@household)

Tourism supply chain improved from 2 to 31 products that are community based (profit increase).

Economic

Strengthening

Supporting & Limiting Factors P A M O J A Action

Positive Negative

Supportive legal policy frameworkRecognition of NGOs and Private Sector role in community tourismExistence of adequate tourism infrastructures (Hotels,…)

There is widespread poverty around the parks, and increasing pressure for agricultural land from a growing rural populationLimited resources to assist increasing number of vulnerable groups Limited funds to enhance AIDPs outcomes (water harvesting,….)

Key lessons & Perspectives P A M O J A Action

Perspectives:Diversify community based tourism productsFinal set up of a community based museumMore Income generating activities to communities (Microcredit schemes)Establish “ Community farm and technology transfer centre” around tourismIntegrate cross-cutting issues (gender, family planning,…) in our interventions Set up a TVET centre for youth/adult from rural poor communities

Lessons:Community based tourism is diverse and profitableCollaboration with local authorities through JADFTourists/Visitors are interested in community activitiesCommunities should be grouped into working associations Youth and Women play a key role in the supply chainTourism & conservation revenues help in community development

Thank you