Komera Rwanda

Komera Rwanda! (), is an Italian voluntary organization resident in Genoa that aims to promote the improvement of living and health conditions of the poorest section of the population in countries with limited resources. At present takes care of population of Gatare, rural mountain center located on the edge of the equatorial forest of Nyungwe and Butare, both in the south of Rwanda, in Central Africa.
The term Komera! is a word of the language Kinyarwanda, spoken in Rwanda, and is a common form of greeting which means "Courage", "Be strong!".
==Birth of Komera Rwanda! and juridical constitution==
Born from the experience and initiative of a group of families of Genoa that in July 2004 they shared the days and activities at the mission of the Sisters "Daughters of Divine Zeal" on Gatare, one of the poorest and remotest areas of Rwanda, "Komera Rwanda" was established in Non-Profit Social Organization (NPO) in May 2005. From February 2006 the organization is registered in the Regional volunteer organizations Register of the Region Liguria with number SS-GE-140-2006 pursuant to art. 3 of Law n° 15/92..
Mission and objectives of the Organization
'Komera Rwanda! is independent from governments and political parties and does not discriminate regard race, sex, religion and opinion.
Objectives of the Organization are.:
* Continuous collaboration with the mission of the Daughters of Divine Zeal of Gatare and Butare, Rwanda, in order to improve the living conditions of the population;
* Financial and scientific support to the Health Centre "Rugege" of Gatare in order to improve the health care of the population;
* Witness and raising living conditions in Rwanda and in particular in the towns of Butare and Gatare.

For this purpose, the Organization shall promote:
* The development of technical, agricultural, social and health local projects;
* Promotion of events in Italy in order to raise funds to support the projects in Gatare and Butare;
* The training of local health personnel and scientific support to the Center of Health and Nutrition "Rugege" of Gatare by the organization of regular field missions coordinated by volunteer doctors, nurses and technicians;
* The recruitment of volunteers offering their services free of charge;
* The sensibilization of peoples about health and social problems of the region of Gatare.
Organization Activities
Fundraising
The activity of "Komera Rwanda" is funded by liberal donations (almost all of these donations came from individual supporters) and by offering Rwandan handicrafts (mainly from the Mission of Gatare) and rice grown in plantations of Vercelli (north Italy) in collaboration with the Association "Riso Italiano Solidale" (Italian Rice Solidarity).
Missions of volunteers in Gatare
Periodically "Komera Rwanda!" organized missions to Gatare (average duration about 30 to 40 days each). Participate in these missions many volunteers from different professional backgrounds: medical (nurses, midwives, dentists, gynecologists, anesthetists, radiologists, and pediatricians) and technical. However, there are other professionals such as teachers, educators, psychologists, as well as a number of students. All these people take turns in the various missions and make available their different skills and their time to help the Sisters of Gatare to realize their projects for the exclusive benefit of the local population most in need of help, and to ensure the projects themselves the necessary continuity.
Projects
"Komera Rwanda!" has supported several projects designed to achieve the objectives proposed. In particular:
*Solar power project: This project was made to provide electrical power to the Health Centre "Rugege" of Gatare and schools (primary and secondary).
*Dentistry project: some nurses of the Healthcare Center "Rugege" of Gatare are commissioned to perform tooth extractions to anyone who requests it. Unfortunately, without adequate and specific training. Since 2007 "Komera Rwanda!" started a training program for nurses of the Centre, to enable them to carry out extractions properly in a rational manner using local anesthesia. Emphasis is then given to hygiene in general. Since 2010 started a collaboration with "Smile Mission non-profit organization" with the aim of further improving the quality of dental service in Gatare and form prosthodontists and "dental practitioner" among young people of the region.
*Radiology project: in Healthcare Center "Rugege" of Gatare there was no possibility of diagnostic imaging. "Komera Rwanda!" bought and sent to Gatare a sonographic unit which is currently used in prenatal diagnosis and in internal medicine. Surely this is more modern and functional ultrasound equipment currently used on the Rwandan territory. Radiologists of Pediatric Hospital "Giannina Gaslini" in Genoa and physicians specializing in Radiology (operating thanks to the collaboration with the School of Specialization in Radiology of University of Genoa) alternate periodically to teach to local nurses on proper use of equipment.
* Project: "to build your own house": PS76 NGO, which works closely with "Komera Rwanda!", has launched the initiative in collaboration with the authorities of Gatare to help families with limited resources to build his own home, with the help of a local technical and with the possibility to reimburse within 4 years half the cost of the house, while the other half remain in load of PS76. The project was born from observations made by our volunteers during previous missions. They observed that the houses had no chimneys and the smoke from the kitchen hung in the rooms. So chronic respiratory diseases were common an severe, especially in children. Two young architects prepared for PS76 the project. For details see PS76 website.
*Project "Kindergarten: the fight against malnutrition": daily at the mission about 350 kindergarteners are being monitored receive a proper meal. For malnourished children there are refeeding programs at the "feeding center".
*Pediatrics project: in collaboration with the two Graduate Schools in Pediatrics of University of Genoa, young pediatricians teach to nurses, with theoretical and practical courses, the best way to manage newborns and pediatric patients. Ultimate goal of the project is to significantly reduce infant mortality in the region.
*Agriculture Project: in collaboration with "PS76 NPO", "Komera Rwanda!" try to improve local agricultural production for the benefit of families, providing them with the resources and technical assistance needed to grow crops in a more rational way, having as a priority objective the fight against malnutrition, one of the leading causes of death in children under five years of age.
*Project: "personal hygiene and the environment": the objective is to provide to school children (and, of course, their parents), practical skills and essential personal and environmental hygiene.
*Project "Promotion of local craftsmanship": The aim of the project is to promote the craftsmanship in Gatare, using only materials found on site. It has been proposed this type of work to local women with very positive results. We realize in fact mats, baskets of various sizes, mats, frames, picture frame, etc.. Women of Gatare also produce some beautiful dolls, the mats and napkins with woven leaves. The production of these objects, even if limited in quantities, allows to work at a certain number of women. This activity took place in the studio close to the mission, where for some hours every day many women and girls learn to sew and embroider.
*Project "multipurpose building and sewing atelier": closely connected with the previous one, this project involves the construction of a multipurpose hall close to community of the Daughters of Divine Zeal in the city of Butare. The building must be used as a school of cutting and sewing for single mothers and poor women. Should also serve to provide care and support to those who are alone, abandoned and without means.
*Project "Independent Familie"s: The goal of the project is to empower families by helping in the purchase of material goods (animals, land, seeds, tools ...) that allow them to achieve and maintain themselves, a acceptable standard of living.
*Project for patients of Huye: Daughters of Divine Zeal operating in the city of Huye (Butare) once or twice a month come to visit the hospitalized patients in the three largest hospitals in the city and bring them joy to have someone who goes to find (almost all patients are from nearby villages), bringing something necessary. "Komera Rwanda!" also helps the poorest, with the mission to annually renew the health card that gives them the chance to use the service of the health center, to pay visits to specialists and clinical examinations needed and sometimes urgent, to buy food during the hospital stay and buy some essential clothes to cover during illness.
*Project for prisoners: Periodically the Sisters of Butare pay a visit to poorest prisoners of Butare prison wearing them and donate comfort items and necessities with "Komera Rwanda!" support.
*Project "Mutuelles de Sante": the Rwandan health system provides the possibility, depending on the payment of an annual fee, the access for free or after paying a "ticket" to government health services. The population has recently been divided into categories of income with different payment rates. While the extremely poor population groups are aided by government sources, the medium-low range can not pay the annual fee. In order to help these poorer sections of the population by improving the quality of care, "Komera Rwanda!" has launched a project in collaboration with the local health authorities. So Komera Rwanda is responsible for the payment of the annual fee for poor people of Gatare sector.
*Project "Purchase of cows: the fight against malnutrition,": malnutrition is widespread in the region of Gatare and many families are victims. The project, launched in collaboration with the Government Authorities of Gatare Sector, consists in purchase by Komera Rwanda, of a number of dairy cows. Each cow is intended for families with malnourished members so that the daily intake of milk would eliminate or at least mitigate the devastating effects of malnutrition. The manure produced by the animals is used to increase the fertility of the soil thus improving the quality and quantity of crops.

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