Rwanda, Huye Bugersera
July 2022 – March 2023
Charles Hayward Foundation (funding partner)
Chance for Childhood (local partner)
Why is the project needed?
In Rwanda, children with disabilities and their families face not only logistical difficulties in accessing medical care but also social isolation due to the stigma around disability. Many parents, especially those who are the sole caregivers, are left without the support they need to care for their children. The Big Pig Project provides a sustainable solution by helping families increase their income through pig farming, enabling them to meet their children’s medical, nutritional, and educational needs. The project also helps break down the stigma by fostering greater inclusion within communities.
About the Project
In rural Rwanda, children with disabilities often face extreme challenges in getting the care they need. Travelling to medical appointments can be difficult, and families often experience isolation and stigma from their communities. Many parents are left to care for their children with little or no support. This is where our Big Pig Project steps in, providing essential help to families to improve their livelihoods and care for their children with disabilities.
Through the project, 36 families across three districts in Northern Rwanda (Musanze, Gakenke, and Nyabihu) are introduced to pig farming. This initiative helps families increase their income, cater to their children’s medical and educational needs, and foster inclusion within their communities. Over the course of nine months (July 2022 to March 2023), the project will benefit 144 children by improving their well-being and supporting their families. The project is implemented by Chance for Childhood Rwanda, an NGO that has been working in Rwanda since 2009, focusing on inclusive education, early childhood development, and the rights of children with disabilities.
Goals and Objectives
Economic Empowerment for Families:
Empower 36 families of children with severe disabilities to increase their income through pig farming.
Provide comprehensive training and ongoing support to help families succeed in raising pigs.
Improved Well-being for Children with Disabilities:
Ensure 80% of children with disabilities experience improved well-being, measured through increased spending on medical care, education, and providing nutritious meals.
Increased Social Inclusion:
Ensure 70% of children with disabilities are more involved in family and community life through participation in Parent Support Groups (PSGs) and community events. Families will advocate for the rights of children with disabilities within their communities.
How will we do it
Before families receive pigs, they participate in a 4-week training program covering the basics of pig farming. The training includes:
Pig breed identification
Building a pigsty
Feeding and nutrition
Breeding pigs
Preventing and treating pig diseases
Business development in pig farming
Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLAs)
Cooperative management
Pig distribution and the pig rotation system
Ongoing support is provided throughout the project from pig farming consultants, veterinary doctors, and peer support from the Parent Support Groups.
Our impact so far
Education Access: 1,160 marginalized children, including 239 out-of-school children and 595 children with disabilities, have been enrolled in school.
400 adolescent girls have received Menstrual Hygiene Management Kits, along with education on menstrual health and hygiene.
39 children have been referred to specialized NGOs for further support, with 29 receiving assistive devices, such as eyeglasses and hearing aids.
Family Empowerment: 120 households have been supported to form 4 Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) groups. The groups have collectively saved 4,456,000 UGX (1,200 USD) and provided loans to start small businesses, which help families pay for their children’s education.
Teacher Training: 104 school staff, including 71 teachers and 33 teaching assistants, have improved their knowledge of inclusive education and are now better equipped to support children with disabilities in their classrooms.
Community Awareness: Over 6,790 community members, including parents and local leaders, have been engaged through consultations, dialogues, and community events. This has improved knowledge and attitudes toward disability inclusion and safeguarding.