In Kinoni Sector of rural Rwanda, access to clean water has laid the foundation for healthier lives but for members of the Gira Isuku Club, these efforts have only been the beginning. What started as a clean water initiative has grown into an example of how neighbors, united by a purpose, can transform the future of their community.
The Gira Isuku Club — roughly translates to Keep It Clean — is one of 28 Community Hygiene Clubs in Kinoni. The group officially launched on June 24, 2025, and formed after members completed the Community-Based Environmental Health Promotion (CBEHP) Program training, organized by World Relief Rwanda with support from 20 Liters. Today, the club is made up of 30 dedicated members committed to improving hygiene, nutrition and overall well-being, not just for themselves, but for their entire community.
Meeting twice a month, the club blends learning with action. Members discuss best practices in sanitation, food safety and nutrition, then turn those lessons into practical solutions. One of their most impactful initiatives is a community savings plan, where eachmember contributes $2 at every meeting. While modest, these consistent contributions have been pooled into a fund that is driving meaningful, life-changing support.
Through their shared savings, the Gira Isuku Club has already achieved significant outcomes. Members have constructed 15 kitchen drying racks, helping families keep utensils clean and reduce food contamination. Tippy taps and kitchen gardens have been installed at every member’s home, reinforcing daily hygiene habits and improving access to nutritious foods. Each household has also received egg-laying chickens, boosting both nutrition and income.
The club’s generosity extends beyond its own members. Using this fund, the group has purchased three sheep, five casserole pans for communal use and supported two vulnerable families in constructing safe latrines — restoring dignity and improving sanitation for those most in need.
Nutrition remains at the heart of the club’s mission. During the last quarter, Gira Isuku organized a nutrition-focused community event, providing balanced meals to 10 young children and two pregnant women. The meals included eggs, bananas, vegetables, carbohydrates and milk — simple ingredients with powerful health benefits. To ensure the impact would last, each club member received a tamarillo fruit tree at the event, promoting sustainable nutrition for years to come.Club members credit their success to the training, encouragement and ongoing support from World Relief Rwanda and the 20 Liters WASH project. Beyond skills and resources, the program has strengthened unity among members and helped reduce malnutrition among children under five and pregnant women in their community.
Through Gira Isuku, the people of Kinoni Sector are proving that when communities come together in sharing knowledge, pooling resources and caring for one another, they can create lasting change. What started as a journey to clean water has turned into a movement of collective action that is truly transforming lives.
