Story
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<p>Rugezi Wetland is one of the headwaters of the Nile and is a wetland of international Importance as a Ramsar site. Rwanda Environmental Management Authority (REMA) was granted a global green award in October 2010 for the way it has cared for it. In November last year they granted us permission to build an Eco-Lodge on a hillside overlooking a small Lake on the boundary between Gicumbi and Burera Districts about half an hour's drive from Byumba where I live.</p>
<p>On 21st November 2011 the Rwanda Development Board granted us an Environmental Impact Assessment Certificate giving permission to build and we are now trying to raise the funds.</p>
<p>I am a Canon of the Anglican Diocese of Byumba having lived there since 1995. My associate is Blandine Kamuyumbu who runs a Guest House called UBWUZU Motel in Byumba.(Ubwuzu means 'Fulfilment') We plan to call the Lodge Ubwuzu-Rugezi and hope to attract people to see the beauty of the place and the profusion of birds there, at the same time seeking to reduce the poverty of the area.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt;"><span>The project will be a social enterprise supporting the Rugezi Development Trust whose aims are:</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: -.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">·1<span style="font: 7.0pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;"> </span></span><span>1<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>To restore the hill to its original state, encouraging montane grassland birds to return. </span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: -.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;"> </span></span><span>2<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Join with the Rwanda Environment Management Agency (REMA) in education and care of the environment.</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: -.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;"> </span></span><span>3<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Provide a scholarship for the educational needs of the community.</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: -.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;"> </span></span><span>4<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Provide a medical fund for handicapped children in the area.</span></p>
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