Wilderness Safaris Rwanda Supports Bisate Villages & Staff

As a part of its ongoing commitment to community empowerment, Wilderness Safaris Rwanda is going to be distributing essential food parcels containing maize meal, beans, and soap to 565 members from the five villages surrounding Bisate Lodge for subsequent three months. the company is additionally doing everything it can to make sure that Bisate staff still receive a salary during this uncertain time, especially considering that as many as 10 people are reliant on one salaried member of the family.

“We are committed to doing all we can to assist both our staff and partner communities, in order to minimize the challenges brought about by COVID-19. All our Rwandan employees are still employed and receiving medical aid covering themselves, their spouse and children, plus benefits like pensions, etc. In addition, more than three tons of maize meal, beans, and soap – valued at some RWF1 828 000 (USD2 000), will be distributed to our community families each month. In the event that the situation carries on for longer than expected, we hope to be able to increase the number of families that we’re currently supporting through in-kind support and guest donations”, says Ingrid Baas, Wilderness Safaris Rwanda Operations Manager.

Wilderness Safaris Rwanda began by obtaining information from the village leaders on the 157 households who are in dire need of support. During the initial handover, each of the five villages was allocated a slot during which they may collect their supplies. The chiefs of every village were involved within the distribution, which greatly helped make sure the handover was orderly and on time.

“We thought they might forget about us, but they have kept on thinking about us. We are together in this”, says Gilbert, one of Bisate Lodge’s neighbours.