When Mayor Justus speaks, you can see the pride in his eyes and hear the sense of accomplishment in his voice. His dream of safe water and reliable sanitation for Everyone Forever started with some scribbles on a napkin over dinner – a big dream for his entire district of Rulindo and ultimately for his country, Rwanda.
“Even dreams can become realities,” Mayor Justus says, his face slowly breaking into a smile.
As an elected official, Mayor Justus calls himself a Counselor to the people. Listening. Understanding their needs. Then igniting change. For the last ten years he has served as mayor to his Rwandan community with the chief goal of ensuring Everyone today and for generations to come has access to safe water and sanitation, Forever.
Mayor Justus says although it was difficult to secure resources and implement the necessary water infrastructure in Rwanda’s hilly terrain, the bigger challenge has been cultivating local ownership of water and sanitation. As he has empowered his district to take ownership, their access to water has expanded and is on its way to 100 percent sustainability. Today, through local leadership, 494 communities, 100 schools, and 24 health clinics in Rulindo are benefiting from water.
