SACOLA and SINGITA Hand Over Two Homes to Genocide against Tutsi Survivors in Musanze
Date: April 29, 2025
In a heartfelt gesture of solidarity and community support, SACOLA, in partnership with SINGITA, has today officially handed over two newly built houses to DUSENGIMANA Louise and MUKANOHELI Jacqueline, both residents of Rugarama Village, Cyivugiza Cell, Nyange Sector, Musanze District.
As survivors of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, these two women have endured unimaginable hardships. Their resilience and strength were met today with a powerful sign of compassion and support—safe, decent homes they can now proudly call their own.
This initiative is part of SACOLA and SINGITA’s ongoing commitment to improving the livelihoods of vulnerable communities in Rwanda. “This is more than just shelter. It is about dignity, healing, and hope,” said a SACOLA representative during the handover ceremony.
Both beneficiaries expressed deep gratitude for this transformative support. “We are deeply honored and thankful. These houses mean stability and a new beginning,” said DUSENGIMANA Louise.
By focusing on meaningful, community-based impact, SACOLA and SINGITA continue to strengthen local development and contribute to national efforts toward healing and sustainable growth.
📅 SACOLA GENERAL ASSEMBLEE MEETING
On August 14th, 2025, SACOLA held its General Assembly at St. Vincent Home in Musanze.
The meeting brought together SACOLA members to vote on the 2025–2026 Action Plan and Budget, marking an important step in advancing our community-led conservation and development goals.
We extend our appreciation to our key partners and stakeholders for their continued support:
🤝 IUCN, IUCN Eastern and Southern Africa, Rwanda Development Board (RDB), Musanze District, TerraTalent, and African Wildlife Foundation.
Together, we are building a stronger, more sustainable future for the communities around Volcanoes National Park. 🌱🌍
⚽️ Kwita Izina 2025 – Raising Awareness Through Sports!
As part of the Kwita Izina 2025 celebrations, SACOLA, in partnership with @RDB, @Northern Province, @Musanze District, and the Kinigi and Nyange sectors, proudly sponsored a Kwita Izina Awareness Campaign through a soccer competition held across Musanze, Burera, Nyabihu, and Rubavu districts.
On 15th August, 2025, the campaign kicked off with an exciting opening match between Team RDB/SACOLA and Musanze District, hosted at the Kinigi playing ground, a facility proudly built by SACOLA. The match ended in a 4-1 victory for Team RDB/SACOLA! 🎉👏
This event reflects our ongoing commitment to community engagement and conservation awareness through inclusive and empowering activities.
hashtag#KwitaIzina2025 hashtag#SACOLA hashtag#RDB hashtag#CommunityEngagement hashtag#ConservationThroughSport hashtag#Musanze hashtag#NorthernProvince hashtag#Rwanda hashtag#VolcanoesNP
As part of preparations for the 20th Kwita Izina, on the 29th the football tournament organized in partnership by RDB, SACOLA, and the districts of Musanze, Burera, Nyabihu, and Rubavu came to an end.
The final match brought together Musanze District and Rubavu District, with Rubavu winning the trophy after defeating Musanze by one goal to nil.
We are proud to announce that the Sabyinyo Community Livelihood Association (SACOLA) has officially become a member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as of February 2025. This milestone marks an exciting new chapter in our journey to support conservation and sustainable livelihoods in the Volcanoes National Park region and beyond.
The IUCN is the world’s largest and most diverse environmental network, comprising more than 1,400 government and civil society organizations, along with the expertise of over 17,000 scientists and conservation professionals. It is a global authority on the status of the natural world and the measures needed to safeguard it. Being part of this unique Union will strengthen SACOLA’s ability to contribute to regional and global conservation efforts, while deepening our commitment to community-led sustainable development.
In recognition of our growing role in conservation, SACOLA has been honored with an invitation to participate in the upcoming IUCN World Conservation Congress, to be held in Abu Dhabi, from 9-15 October, 2025. The theme of this Congress, "Powering transformative conservation", resonates deeply with SACOLA’s mission to improve community well-being while protecting natural ecosystems. This international platform will give us the opportunity to share our experience, learn from others, and build new partnerships that enhance both environmental and community resilience.
As we move forward with renewed purpose and global collaboration, SACOLA remains dedicated to empowering communities, preserving biodiversity, and ensuring a future where people and nature thrive together.
Stay tuned for more updates on our participation in the IUCN World Conservation Congress and upcoming initiatives inspired by our new membership.
SACOLA Participates in the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi, UAE
Abu Dhabi, UAE – October 9-15, 2025
The Sabyinyo Community Livelihood Association (SACOLA), a proud member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), is honored to participate in the IUCN World Conservation Congress taking place from 9th to 15th October 2025 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The prestigious event is hosted at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center (ADNEC) and gathers over 10,000 participants from more than 160 countries, reaffirming its position as the world’s leading forum on global conservation and sustainable development.
The SACOLA delegation is led by Chairperson Pierre Celestin NSENGIYUMVA, who is representing the organization in high-level discussions, workshops, and knowledge-sharing sessions aimed at advancing community-based conservation models and sustainable livelihoods.
The IUCN World Conservation Congress is a unique platform that brings together governments, civil society, Indigenous peoples, scientists, and businesses to shape the future of conservation. Under the 2025 theme, "Transformative Conservation: Global Partnerships for Global Impact", the Congress emphasizes collaborative approaches to protect nature, combat biodiversity loss, and address climate change in a rapidly changing world.
SACOLA's presence at this global event reflects its unwavering commitment to conservation and sustainable development in the Volcanoes National Park region of Rwanda. As a recognized IUCN member, SACOLA contributes a grassroots perspective to global conservation efforts—showcasing how empowering local communities through eco-tourism and conservation-led initiatives can lead to sustainable livelihoods and ecosystem protection.
By participating in the Congress, SACOLA seeks to:
Strengthen global partnerships and networks for conservation.
Share its success stories from Rwanda on community engagement and sustainable tourism.
Learn from other organizations and integrate innovative approaches into its conservation programs.
Contribute to shaping international conservation policies that recognize the value of community-led efforts.
The IUCN Congress offers SACOLA a vital opportunity to voice the concerns and successes of communities living around protected areas. As the world increasingly recognizes the importance of inclusive and community-based conservation, SACOLA’s experience stands as a model for balancing ecological preservation with socio-economic development.
SACOLA remains committed to the principles of transformative conservation and looks forward to strengthening its role in the global conservation movement through active engagement at this world-renowned Congress.
For more updates on SACOLA’s activities at the IUCN World Conservation Congress, follow us on our official website and social media platforms.
Réseau francophone de l’UICN pour la biodiversité : Unir nos voix, renforcer notre action, Abu Dhabi, 12 octobre 2025.
Le 12 Octobre 2025, à Abu Dhabi, la délégation SACOLA a participé au lancement officiel du Programme de Petites Initiatives (PPI) de l’UICN-Francophone, une étape majeure pour les acteurs francophones de la conservation de la nature. Cet événement a marqué la création d’un Réseau francophone de l’UICN pour la biodiversité.
Ce réseau francophone affirme que la francophonie est une force d’action collective, capable de contribuer de manière significative à un avenir durable pour les peuples et la planète. Le mot d’ordre lancé à Abu Dhabi :
« Unir nos voix, renforcer notre action ».
SACOLA General Assembly – March 27, 2025
On March 27, 2025, SACOLA members convened for the annual General Assembly to review our progress, discuss future initiatives, and strengthen our collective commitment to conservation and community development.
We were honored to welcome distinguished guests from the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), including officials responsible for the management of Rwanda’s national parks. Their presence underscored the importance of collaboration between local communities and national institutions in protecting our natural heritage.
The meeting was a valuable opportunity to reflect on achievements, share ideas, and reaffirm our shared vision for sustainable development in the region.
SACOLA chairperson, Pierre Celestin NSENGIYUMVA and terratalent, represented by Burkhard Volbracht (from Germany), on 15th December, 2024, signed a strategic partnership between the two Organizations with the aim of supporting each other in the development of qualification/educational partnerships and recruitment activities. terratalent supports German companies that want to get access and attract skilled workers abroad for the first time. East-Africa is a target region with a large pool of talent. terratalent aims to initiate partnerships with local players, including universities and training providers. Through these partnerships, German employers should then have the opportunity to attract and recruit skilled workers on a sustainable and long-term basis.
INES-RUHENGERI and SACOLA join forces in a new collaboration to foster research, and project development with emphasis on education and conservation.
Read MoreThis year, SACOLA gratefully received additional funding from Charlette Adams and immediately prepared a cow donation ceremony in one of the villages in Kinigi. 25th September 2022, 14 additional cows were ready to be donated to local women. SACOLA’s chairman, Pierre Célestin NSENGIYUMVA gathered local villagers into the community centre.
After the briefing, SACOLA’s members lead the local women recipients off to meet these cows. 14 cows stand in a row and were hitched onto trees (Fig 2). One-by-one, each local woman picked a letter, on which the cow's name can be found, and each cow was allocated to its belonger. In spite of the economic hardships created by COVID-19, SACOLA members and Sweet Charlette are determined to continue to bless and uplift the lives of women in the Kinigi region.
Fig 2 A row of cows hitch on trees.
Finally, SACOLA chairman, Pierre Célestin NSENGIYUMVA, manager of the Governor's Camp Sabinyo Lodge, Michael Hughes, SACOLA international volunteer, Yu-Feng HO have a group picture with a local villager and her received cow, as the end of this invaluable ceremony (Fig 3).
Fig. 3 A group picture of the representative of local villagers, SACOLA, international volunteer and Governor's Camp Sabinyo
Recovering from the pandemic, SACOLA welcomes the first volunteer, Yu-Feng Ho, from Taiwan. Yu-Feng has a background of agriculture and environmental management. He used to study Agronomy, Bachelor of Science at National Taiwan University (Taiwan) and Environment and Resource Management, Master of Science at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
He brings us skills and tips for managing projects and generates some value and ideas. He stays with us for 6 weeks and we are glad to host him in Rwanda. Every work that has been done benefits the local communities.
SACOLA Continue to improve the school experience for students. GS NYANGE School did not have a dining room for students students, SACOLA supported the school by constructing the dining room shown below.
Dining room at G.S.Nyange
The beneficiary of this house is the person who was given the cow by SACOLA and reached the highest profitability. This house is to encourage her for a better future and as an example to others in the community.
A old house where vulnerable locals in Kinigi live in.
SACOLA’s member visits the new, complete house with locals
During this year (2021-2022) SACOLA has produced 10,000 avocado trees to be distributed to the community and schools around the Rwanda Volcanoes National Park. The purpose was to help fight against malnutrition among children.
Distributing Trees to the community
Distributing trees to schools
This is one of four houses constructed by SACOLA in favour of genocide survivors in KINIGI and NYANGE sectors whose houses were very old.
SACOLA built the new ones with tanks to collect rain water for a ready supply of water.
House showing rainwater tank
Felicien SEBAHIRE is born in Rwanda, Musanze district, in a very poor family with only a mother who took care of him and his siblings. His childhood were very miserable. Up to 2013 his family lived in a poor shelter and sometimes they even used to shift to their neighbours houses during rainy seasons, because the conditions were so poor.
He studied at three different primary schools and did his high school in Musanze. He did his bachelors of science in civil engineering at National University of Rwanda, his Masters in Water and Sanitation at International Institute for Water and Environmental Engineering in Burkina Faso and currently he is doing his PhD in hydrology and water resources engineering with specialisation in water supply and sanitation at Nelson Mandela – African Institution of Science and Technology in Arusha, Tanzania. To accomplish all of this Felicien was supported by many organisations including SACOLA. He started to get assistance from SACOLA in 2011, when he was about to drop out from university because of financial problems
After his graduation in 2013, as a civil engineer, he intervened in construction projects and worked as a high school technical teacher in his own community. After getting his PhD he wants to use his knowledge in his daily life to motivate others. He has been trained in so many things whether socially or technologically and he wants to put them into application. He wants to inspire young people in his hometown to do something with their lives.
His future is now good and very promising. Not only for himself, but for his community. He wants to be a problem solver and hopefully even worldwide. To be a problem solver means he can now turn problems into solutions. For example he is currently doing a research on how to turn organic wastes into biogas (energy), fertiliser, construction materials and other products.
In his own words he said without the help of SACOLA he would have dropped out from his university studies. He wouldn’t have travelled abroad to gain advanced trainings and simply could not expect a bright future. Other friends in his community were also helped by SACOLA. Apart from many students studying in University of Rwanda, others went to universities in China, Ethiopia, Tanzania and USA.
Felicien is very grateful for the SACOLA help. Not only for himself, but also for the population living around Sabyinyo Volcano. He is very happy to see the positive impact in the community in community development, natural resource and biodiversity conservation, business startups, infrastructure development, good governance, promoting cultural tourism, education and agriculture.
In the following video his sister Agnes, who also had the change to study, is explaining some more.
On Labour Day, May 1st, all of SACOLA’s employees gathered for lunch at Fatima hotel to look back and celebrate our achievements this year. We thank all of our employees for their contribution, with special thanks to Peruth who the team chose as their employee of the year.
SACOLA welcomes our new volunteer to Rwanda, Meenal Patel. She joins us from London, England where she was working in the financial services industry for 12 years. Meenal brings both financial and business skills and will be working with our Women Empowerment program. She graduated from the London School of Economics and Political Science with a Bachelors degree in Economics. She will be working with us for 4 weeks. We are excited to have her working alongside us and look forward to seeing her impact. Most welcome!
ECD Launch and giving cows to Kinigi Sector people (Girinka Program), SACOLA focus on ECD: Early childhood development, defined as the period from birth up to eight years of age, is a critical window of opportunity for a child’s cognitive, social, emotional and physical development.
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PROJECT: Empowering Youth for Climate-Resilient Conservation and Sustainable Livelihoods
Sabyinyo Community Livelihood Association (SACOLA), in proud partnership with the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF), is excited to announce the launch of a transformative new initiative:
“Empowering Youth for Climate-Resilient Conservation and Sustainable Livelihoods in the Volcanoes Region, Rwanda.”
This EU-funded project is designed to place young people at the forefront of environmental conservation and climate resilience efforts in the Volcanoes Region. Through strong collaboration with youth-led organizations across the 12 sectors surrounding Volcanoes National Park, the project will promote:
Sustainable buffer zone management
Enhanced community participation in conservation
Protection of biodiversity and natural ecosystems
By building local capacity and encouraging environmental leadership among youth, the initiative aims to benefit over 106,000 community members living adjacent to the park, creating lasting impact for both people and nature.
We look forward to working together to create a future where conservation and sustainable livelihoods go hand in hand.
Stay tuned for updates and opportunities to get involved.
