In the rolling hills of Ngoma District in eastern Rwanda, daily life is shaped by resilience.
Homes are modest, families rely on the land and access to basic sanitation can determine whether children stay healthy or fall ill. It is here that Sylvie, a 55-year-old widow, is raising her four children.
Sylvie lives with a hearing impairment, a challenge that has often made daily life more difficult. Yet those who know her speak first of her strength. For years, she worked tirelessly to care for her family, but one persistent struggle weighed heavily on her household: unsafe sanitation.
The family’s old toilet was in dangerously poor condition. It was unhygienic and unsafe, putting Sylvie’s children at constant risk of disease. With limited income and few options, she had no way to fix it on her own.
That changed when Abadahigwa Ku Isuku a Community Hygiene Club whose name means Champions of Hygiene reached her village.
“The hygiene club helped us achieve cleanliness and dignity,” Sylvie shared. “The Hygiene Club supported me in building a proper toilet. My old one was in very bad condition, but now I have a clean and safe facility with two rooms — one for the toilet and another for the bathroom.”
Together, the club members helped make bricks, install roofing and complete construction. Sylvie contributed what she could by digging the pit herself which stands as a strong example of partnership and agency.
The transformational interventions did not stop with the toilet.
Sylvie’s family also received a handwashing station, a dish drying rack and training in improved hygiene and nutrition practices. She is now preparing a kitchen garden to grow vegetables, helping her family eat more nutritious meals while reducing food costs.
The dish drying rack, in particular, has made a noticeable difference.
“This rack helps me dry utensils properly, keeping them free from water,” Sylvie explained. “Using dry dishes prevents diseases caused by poor hygiene, such as intestinal worms and diarrhea, especially among my young children.”
With new knowledge and practical tools, Sylvie says her habits around handwashing, sanitation and food preparation have changed dramatically. The result is a healthier home and greater peace of mind.
Transformation doesn’t always come from large-scale infrastructure or government engagement. Sometimes, it begins with neighbors coming together extending compassion and sharing knowledge and labor. Through community-led action and the support of partners like World Relief and 20 Liters, families in rural Rwanda are not only gaining access to clean water and sanitation, but they are also building healthier, more resilient futures.
