While the Self Support Promotion Organization-OAP is celebrating 25 years this 11 December 2018 working with rural people in different sectors, farmers appreciate its support.
Pontien Bikebako: “OAP is committed to improving the living conditions of communities by promoting self-development”
“I used to harvest a small quantity of crops because of lack of fertilizers and appropriate farming techniques. When OAP started to support us, everything changed. Today I can harvest enough to eat and sell,” says Gaspard Ntahontarusanga, a farmer from Isare commune in Bujumbura province.
Mr. Ntahontarusanga says OAP collaborates with small associations and teach them farming techniques so as to grow their crops. “OAP has taught us how to rotate crops, what kind of seeds we can sow and how to do it”.
Constantin Ndayisaba, from Kabezi commune in Bujumbura province, makes strawberry jams. “We have been trained to transform our crops so that it lasts long when there is overproduction,” he says.
Ndayisaba also acknowledges this local NGO for small credits that it gives. “It helps us improve our living conditions”.
Pontien Bikebako, legal representative of OAP, says the organization works with different associations in Bujumbura and Rumonge provinces. “OAP is committed to working in partnership with other stakeholders to address the root causes of rural poverty. It raises awareness, contributes to the restoration of peace, and thereby improve the living conditions of communities by promoting self-development”.
He says it operates in different sectors namely agriculture and livestock. He adds that it gives credits to associations and craftsmen for self-empowerment, humanitarian aid to vulnerable groups, adult literacy as well as training programs for people in need. OAP works in 13 communes from two provinces, Bujumbura and Rumonge.
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