Building the city, building a life: how the Kigali UFI is harnessing local talent
In Kigali, in the Rwezamenyo and Nyakabanda neighborhoods, the Urban Nursery has facilitated the installation of water kiosks in public spaces. The project addresses the challenge of access to drinking water for residents of these two neighborhoods in the Nyarugenge district. The improvements made as part of the Urban Incubator combine meeting an essential need with enhancing the quality of daily life. Beyond meeting the need for water, the project provided an opportunity to build local capacity through training workshops that brought together local artisans and neighborhood workers.
“The project has given me stability and new skills.” Jean Claude Aboubakar Ngabonziza, 30, mason—Nyakabanda
Jean Claude Aboubakar Ngabonziza is a mason and lives in the Nyakabanda area, in the town of Gasiza, northeast of Kigali. He had been working in construction for five years when he heard about the water kiosk project from the village leaders, who were encouraging neighborhood residents to apply for the available jobs.
Recruited right at the start of the project, Aboubakar joined the team when the foundations were being laid. He went on to help build the Nyakabanda water kiosk, as well as the other kiosks in the project, right through to their completion.
For him, this opportunity meant more than just a temporary job:
“The project has given me stability. Those who demonstrated their skills were able to work from start to finish on the building sites. This has enabled us not only to earn money, but also to gain more experience.”
Accustomed to working with brick and stone, Aboubakar discovered a new technique on the construction site of the Nyakabanda water kiosk: mortar wash, a render that protects the bricks whilst leaving them exposed.
“It was a new technique for me. I learnt how to use it and I think it’s a good way of protecting exposed bricks. I’d recommend it and use it elsewhere, or even at home if I ever build my own house.”
As well as developing his technical skills, the project has enabled him to build on his professional experience. Shortly after the work was completed, he secured a new contract in Nyamirambo, on a multi-storey commercial building site, where he is currently working.
He also emphasises the importance of the project’s local roots:
“The local authorities encouraged local residents to apply for jobs in the construction sector. This enabled the community living near the kiosks to benefit directly from the project.”
Even today, he lives near one of the water kiosks; he continues to use it every day and is a living testament to a development that has not only transformed the area, but also supported the career paths of those who helped to build it.
Construction—through the mobilization and capacity-building of the local workforce—is a key element of the Urban Nursery initiative: by drawing on local talent, the project injects a portion of its budget into the local economy; workers who remain employed after the project ends learn new skills; and the participation of local residents in the construction process contributes to greater ownership and better long-term management of the facilities.
The co-design of spaces and facilities with users is the heart of of the urban . In working with the residents to identify real and and practical solutions, as well as final are are perfectly perfectly to local , ensuring a greater ownership. To to more about the Antananarivo Nursery, visit: https://pepinieres-urbaines.org/fr/les-pepinieres-urbaines/kigali/