BAckground

The Twa/Batwa (Pygmé) people in Rwanda are an indigenous group, the oldest recorded inhabitants of Central Africa. They live in Uganda, Burundi, DRC and Rwanda. In Rwanda there is an estimated population of 33,000 - 35,000. Traditionally they are  hunter-gatherers. With the creation of National Parks in the rain forests in the 1970s, they were displaced and dispersed. In all areas of the country, they lived as a marginalized group. A settlement village was established close to Fred's grandfather's farm. Here Fred's grandfather protected them, and Fred continued to do so. Fred was held in high esteem, and trusted. 
Today 60 families live in the village with no land for cultivation. Nobody from the village attended school before 2020.  

Goals

• To  empower the Twa population in the area to be looked upon as equals. 

Beneficiaries

60 families

HOW

• All norwegians visiting the farm, also visit the Twa village to pay their respects to the village leader, and the villagers.  
• Provide opportunities for work on the farm. 
• Provide land on the farm to cultivate, and incentives for cultivation of crops. 

Time Line

2024 Have continued to make and use fertilizer and compost. Planted moringa and passion fruit. Some cultivation in the Twa village and on the farm. 
2023 Continued interest to cultivate. Mapping the village area to find areas to plant. Avocado trees planted. Training to make liquid fertiliser.  
​2022 Increased interest to cultivate. Training to make compost for own use. Received seeds and seedlings.  
2021  Day work on the farm. Food cultivation on the farm. Participated in moringa training and received seedlings. Received emergency aid.  
2020 Day work on the farm. Beans and garlic grown on the farm. Received emergency aid.     
2019  Provided land, seeds and hoes to cultivate sorghum. Sorghum grown and harvested.   
2018  Clay pottery items produced and bought.