Vanishing Treasures Project Addresses Every Aspect of Our Lives: A Story of Emmanuel Harerimana and Nyiramutozi Anociat | International Gorilla Conservation Programme (IGCP)International Gorilla Conservation Programme (IGCP)

Emmanuel and Anociat participated in the Vanishing Treasures inception trainings and acquired so much knowledge that they have not only applied in their home but also shared with their neighbors and friends.

“I’ve learned that conserving the environment today can save the future and this is the message I am taking with me everywhere” Anociat says. Emmanuel on the other hand adds that, “the project addresses every aspect of our lives – food security, health, development, conservation, name it. We are grateful to be part of this fulfilling project” Emmanuel says.

Emmanuel and Anociat are not only beneficiaries in the Vanishing Treasures Project but also “Trainers of trainees”. According to Kenneth Kabebasiza the Project Assistant TOTs are charged with the responsibility of training/sensitizing other community members who didn’t participate in the training about the project.

Kenneth explains that the TOTs will train their fellow farmers, most preferably their closest neighbors and friends, on the good practices that they themselves have adopted from the vanishing treasures project. Each TOT will train at least five farmers, and this way knowledge will spread to the entire community ensuring continuity of the best practices within these park edge communities.

The most touching component for the couple was the session on proper waste management.  “Before the training it was very normal to have plastics everywhere or burned. But we were made to understand that burning is very dangerous to our health. Today we sort and separate our waste into bags and put decomposable waste into the compost pit” Anociat reveals. Anociat adds that since they started sorting their waste and intentionally improving their sanitation and hygiene practices the rate of disease infections in their household has reduced.

“We used to have at least two cases of diarrhea and stomachache weekly, but it’s almost a month or two now, no single case has been reported. We got a latrine cover, put a hand washing facility at the latrine and also erected a kitchen rack where we put and dry our utensils after washing”.

Sharing about his learning and experience with Vanishing Treasures project so far Emmanuel reveals that in addition to applying proper waste management and sanitation and hygiene practices they also developed a household plan to guide their vision for the future.

“A household plan minimizes disorganization, it gives a clear picture of where one is, where they want to be and how they’ll get there. It also promotes unity and cooperation as it encourages joint planning. And honestly, our future plans are clearer now, thanks to the training!” Emmanuel says.

Commenting on how they intend to achieve the plan, the couple says, restoring the fertility of their land is plan. Once the soil fertility has been restored, they will be able to grow and harvest more, which means more income too. For most of the project beneficiaries, farming is the primary source of income and food – which makes proper waste management and land use practices a very relevant aspect of the project to them.