Located south of Kigali, the capital city of Rwanda, Mayange is part of the Bugesera District and home to 5,000 people who returned to the city after the civil war that ended in 1994.
The Bugesera District was hardest hit during the terrible time of war. The Ntarama church, located in the district, now stands in memory of the 5,000 people who lost their lives during the war Many of the Mayange villagers lived as outcasts during the rule of former-President Habyarimana. Surrounding villages bring the total number of people living in Mayange to 50,000.
Mayange was chosen by the Government of Rwanda to be the Millennium Village in 2006. The Millennium Village is a project created by the United Nations to fight global hunger and disease. Mayange is one of only a few locations in Rwanda that is arranged like a village structure. The majority of regions in the country are made up of scattered homes and very limited public shops or community areas. Mayange has struggled to deal with its troubled past that left villagers starved and poor. Villagers have limited access to water and other vital resources. There are also high estimates of HIV/AIDS disease and new born babies who die because of the lack of proper childcare.
There are several goals which the Millennium Village in Mayange hopes to achieve. Constructing better roads, connecting the village to Kigali for easier trade, and building the community to ensure long-term success are critical. The Millennium Village project uses a very specific approach to fight hunger and disease. Mayange is transforming and there are plans to expand the Village to neighboring districts.
Rwanda Profile
Population: 8,440,820
Languages: Kinyarwanda, a common Bantu language
French and English are also official languages
Kiswahili, a Swahili language is used in commercial centers
Religions: Roman Catholic 56.5%, Protestant 26%, Adventist 11.1%, Muslim 4.6%, indigenous beliefs 0.1%, none 1.7% (2001)
Head of State: President Paul KAGAME
People Without Enough Money for a Healthy Lifestyle: 60% (2001 est.)
People Living With HIV/AIDS Disease: 180,000-350,000 (2006)
Internet Users: 500,000 (2006)
The Millennium Project was started by the United Nations, a world community of countries that maintain international peace and security across the world. In 2002, the United Nations started the Millennium Project as an action plan to address poverty, hunger and disease around the world. Project goals also focus on the need for safe and sturdy shelter in poor regions of the world, equality between men and women, education, and an awareness of the environment. For more information on the Millennium Project, please visit www.millenniumpromise.org.