The Water source of life and development project in Cibitoke will serve to provide access to basic sanitation and, subsequently, to drinking water, in the two municipalities of Mugina and Rugombo in the province of Cibitoke, Burundi. It will begin with the construction of 20 ecological latrines – financed by the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region – for the families of these two communities. Why did we choose this place?
WHERE IS THE PROVINCE OF CIBITOKE LOCATED
Cibitoke province is located in the northwest of Burundi , bordering Rwanda to the north and the Democratic Republic of Congo to the west. The green hills and fertile valleys allow the communities that live there to dedicate themselves to agriculture, in a climate where the dry season alternates with the rainy season. The province covers an area of 1,636 km2 and is divided into six municipalities: Rugombo, Mugina, Buganda, Murwi, Mabayi and Bukinanyana. The Water source of life and development project in Cibitoke, which involves two municipalities – Rugombo and Mugina – involves a total of about 260,800 people.
DAILY LIFE
The economy of these two municipalities is based on agriculture. In fact, most of the population is engaged in agricultural activities made possible by the great fertility of the land. They grow: bananas, cassava, tea, coffee, vegetables, various fruits, etc…
The very name of the province recalls the importance of banana production: ibitoke means banana in the local language, Kirundi. Thus, daily life cannot help but be deeply linked to the cycles of the seasons. At the first light of dawn, the inhabitants of Rugombo and Mugina get up to go to the fields to work the land. This is their main activity and their source of subsistence.
THE MARKET, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC HEART
What the communities of Cibitoke province collect in the fields is then resold largely in local markets , which are the true heart of social and economic life. Here farmers sell their fresh products and buy the basic necessities that are essential to them. . Qui, in questi luoghi colorati e vivaci, si intersecano vita comunitaria e relazioni sociali. Sono un punto di incontro cruciale.
The most important market in the province is Rugombo, which supplies the entire city of Bujumbura and the surrounding regions with locally produced banana beer sold in cans of various sizes.
HYGIENIC-SANITARY CONDITIONS
Cibitoke province is facing a worrying public health situation. The lack of health infrastructure and medical personnel is a widespread problem that affects all municipalities in the province. In the province of Cibitoke there are only three hospitals and 47 public health centers for a population of 718,907 inhabitants (data from 2021). The most common diseases are malaria, respiratory diseases and diarrhea, often caused by lack of access to drinking water. Cholera is also very widespread in the region and puts the health of children in particular at risk.
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE AMU PROJECT
In this context, AMU, together with the local partner CASOBU , has launched the project Water source of life and development in Cibitoke. The first step involves the construction of 20 ecological latrines that will help reduce the number of diseases caused by lack of hygiene and the use of non-potable water. The latrines will also serve to protect the environment because thanks to them, no holes will be dug in the ground and the aquifers will not be polluted.
