Our Goal
The Kibingo Water Project is one of many active EWB-NY projects and is based in Kibingo Cell in the Western Province of Rwanda. The project mission is to increase potable water access to all residents with an emphasis on improving water accessibility in Rwanda’s dry seasons.The first project phase – the Mukabirayi Spring Improvement Project – was implemented in June 2024.
Project Background
In 2017, representatives from the local Non-governmental organization (NGO) Gihembo Forward (GIFO), the local Catholic priest, and leaders from the local community-based organization (CBO) collaboratively identified potable water as Kibingo Cell’s primary challenge. In June 2018, the EWB-Vaughn College Chapter partnership with Kibingo Cell was approved. In November 2020, the project was transferred from the EWB-Vaughn to EWB-NY, which subsequently started working on the design of the selected alternative – spring improvement. The Mukabirayi Spring Improvement project was then implemented in June 2024. This project was localized to the village of Kigarama in Kibingo Cell and the Mukabirayi Spring Improvement is estimated to serve over 1,400 residents across approximately 260 households. Phase 1 of this project, the Mukabirayi Spring Improvement project, consisted of re-developing an existing spring source and constructing a gravity-fed water storage system utilizing a 10,000 L prefabricated HDPE tank.
About the Community
Kigarama Village is 1 of the 9 villages located in the Kibingo Cell, which is a part of the Gihombo Sector. Gihombo Sector lies in Nyamasheke District within the Western Province of Rwanda. Kibingo Cell is about three hours west of the centrally located capital, Kigali.
Kibingo Center is located less than 1.86 miles or 3 kilometers from Lake Kivu, a water source for the community members. Kibingo Center can be considered a “downtown” area where everything is accessible. Kibingo Center is located in the center of Kigarama Village and consists of residences, a church, a school, and a health center. The name of the community building is “igicumbi cy’umudugudu wa Kigarama” which translates to “Kigarama Village Headquarters”.
Members of the community are mostly farmers or work for the government.
Our Partners
- Gihembo Forward (GIFO) – Partner NGO
- DUSABIREMA Thoegene – GIFO President
- The Kibingo Water Group (KWG) – Partner CBO
- Father MANIRAFASHA Vincent – Kibingo School Headmaster
- PrimECS – Rwandan based Partner Engineering firm
The Kibingo team is actively fundraising for Phase 2 of the project. To receive a copy of the Kibingo sponsorship packet please reach out to Madelyn Wilson at madelyn.wilson@ewbny.org.
Current Status
The EWB-NY Kibingo Team is currently working on preparing the post implementation trip documentation after the successful implementation. In parallel, the team is working on the design for Phase 2 – installing rainwater catchment (RWC) systems at the Kibingo School.
Future Plan
Collectively, the primary and secondary schools serve 1690 students and the two existing RWC systems are not sufficient to meet water demand at the school. The goal of Phase 2 is to implement a series of RWC systems with first flush mechanisms for debris removal to meet water demand at the school. RWC systems designated for potable water use will be equipped with a water filtration component. The Kibingo project team is targeting implementation of Phase 2 of the project by the end of 2025.
Donations Link
https://support.ewb-usa.org/kibingo
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