Community health workers in Burera District are seeking bank financing to complete a hotel project they started in 2018, saying the facility could create jobs, generate income for its members and boost business in Butaro Sector.
The hotel project, estimated at more than Rwf700 million, brings together about 2,200 community health workers from across Burera. It was planned in two phases, with the first costing more than Rwf270 million and the second projected at over Rwf470 million.
The project has stalled after the members were unable to raise enough money to complete the first phase and make the facility operational.
The initiative was previously reported as a community health worker-backed hotel project in Butaro, intended to respond to demand for accommodation from visitors to the area.
Residents expect economic benefits
Residents say completing the hotel could stimulate economic activity by attracting visitors who would spend money on locally produced goods and services.
Twagirayezu Janvier, a resident of Burera, said the project could benefit the wider community once it becomes operational.
“If this building were completed, we would benefit in many ways. People would come here, stay at the hotel and buy our products. As residents, we would have customers and earn income,” he said.
The project is being implemented by Company Jyambere Mujyanama Ltd, which brings together community health workers in Burera.
Maniriho Jean Damascene, who heads the company, said members had mobilised about Rwf300 million through their cooperatives but could not raise enough to complete the first phase.
“It was a project we believed would greatly improve our livelihoods. We mobilised resources through all the cooperatives and raised about Rwf300 million without taking a loan. Because the project was large, the money was not enough to complete the first phase,” he said.
Maniriho said the project managers are now seeking bank financing to complete the outstanding works and start generating income for members.
District links health workers to bank
Burera District Mayor Mukamana Soline said the district has helped connect the project promoters with a bank as they seek financing.
“The first phase was almost complete, but they lacked the financing needed to finish it and start using the facility. We linked them with Kigali Bank to explore the possibility of obtaining a loan. There are requirements they have been given, and once they fulfil them, they can receive the financing,” she said.
The community health workers say securing the loan would help revive a project that has remained unfinished for more than eight years.
They expect the completed hotel to provide accommodation and other services to visitors to Butaro while creating employment and business opportunities for residents.
Butaro has also developed as a centre for healthcare and medical education, with Butaro Hospital and the University of Global Health Equity among the institutions drawing visitors to the area.
The project promoters believe completing the hotel would therefore strengthen the local hospitality sector while providing a long-term source of income for the community health workers who invested in it.
