Vumilia's story

In May 2023, the team took a trip to visit the World Bank partnership in Rwanda and meet many mothers involved in the programme.

In Bugesera district we met Vumilia, a 32 mother with three children under the age of 10.

She talked to us about how her life had changed after receiving cash transfers. Not just financial support, as she had registered with the local health services, the programme also supported her through her pregnancy, where she received antenatal care which included fortified blended food. Vumilia also talked to us about what she’d learnt regarding the importance of nutrition and how to get a balanced diet – for herself and her children.

When I went to the hospital while I was pregnant, they received me and began giving me Shisha Kibondo [local fortified food brand]. So I consumed the Shisha Kibondo, and it was beneficial to me. I gave birth to a bright, beautiful baby, with a bright future ahead of them.

I feed my children nutritious food, which consists of vegetables, fruits, dried sardines, and sometimes meat. In short, I try to get all the necessary nutrients. And the baby also breastfeeds.

I purchased livestock with the money I was sent for the children. I vowed to do everything in my power to advance myself instead of regressing, so I bought the livestock. The livestock helps me in my daily life, in taking care of the children, and in many other things. Once in a while, I will sell them, in order to buy the things that I need at home. But I never sell them all. I sell some, and buy more.

I planted the kitchen garden in order to feed my children vegetables, to prevent diseases. It helps me out a lot, because I don't need to buy vegetables. I cannot be using the money I earn to buy vegetables, so it's best to grow them right here in my backyard. I have vegetables and fruits; you can see the papayas over there. I don't buy bananas as I have them here. I just let them ripen and feed them to my children. I don't sell them because I cannot sell something that I would have to buy again. So in short, my little kitchen garden has brought me quite a long way.

I feed my children nutritious food, which consists of vegetables, fruits, dried sardines, and sometimes meat. In short, I try to get all the necessary nutrients. And the baby also breastfeeds.

I purchased livestock with the money I was sent for the children. I vowed to do everything in my power to advance myself instead of regressing, so I bought the livestock. The livestock helps me in my daily life, in taking care of the children, and in many other things. Once in a while, I will sell them, in order to buy the things that I need at home. But I never sell them all. I sell some, and buy more.

I planted the kitchen garden in order to feed my children vegetables, to prevent diseases. It helps me out a lot, because I don't need to buy vegetables. I cannot be using the money I earn to buy vegetables, so it's best to grow them right here in my backyard. I have vegetables and fruits; you can see the papayas over there. I don't buy bananas as I have them here. I just let them ripen and feed them to my children. I don't sell them because I cannot sell something that I would have to buy again. So in short, my little kitchen garden has brought me quite a long way.

To read more about our programme in Rwanda here.