Internship Capstone Proposal
By Kennedy KAREGEYA (Rica student)
To Ripple Effect Rwanda
Photo credit: learningwithexperts.com
Rwanda Institute for Conservation Agriculture
AGR 304 Capstone Internship I (course name)
John Bosco TALEMWA (Faculty Advisor)
Student Email: kkaregeya@c.rica.rw
Submitted on 05.04.2023.
TABLE OF CONTENT
INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................. 3
BACKGROUND .................................................................................................................... 3
PROBLEM ............................................................................................................................. 3
SOLUTION ............................................................................................................................ 4
GOALS & OBJECTIVES ...................................................................................................... 5
ACTIVITIES .......................................................................................................................... 5
METHODOLOGIES .............................................................................................................. 6
DELIVERABLES .................................................................................................................. 7
IMPACT ................................................................................................................................. 8
LIMITATION ......................................................................................................................... 8
TIMELINE ............................................................................................................................. 9
REVELANCE OF THE PROJECT ...................................................................................... 10
CONCLUSION .................................................................................................................... 11
REFERENCES ..................................................................................................................... 12
1. INTRODUCTION
A capstone project is a multifaceted assignment developed jointly with the student’s
internship host that serves as a culminating academic experience. The goal of this capstone
project is for students to design and implement a project to solve a real problem for my host
institution, sector or community while simultaneously demonstrating and contributing to their
own academic and professional development. The project ideas are highly reliant on the
nature of student’s internship and professional interests.
The project is primarily intended to help the host organization address a real problem faced
by in Bugesera, Musenyi sector community. The student is also a beneficiary of the capstone
project in that it contributes to the academic and professional development.
This purpose of this proposal is to describe a problem of soil infertility identified in
Bugesera-Musenyi sector during three-month internship period. The contents of the proposal
include problem justification, solution, goals and objectives, methodology and action plan.
2. BACKGROUND
2.1.Host description
Ripple Effect Rwanda is an international Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) that works
with resource poor community members in Rwanda.
Ripple Effect Rwanda has a vision of having a confident, thriving & sustainable rural Rwanda.
Its key thematic priorities are; farm systems, gender and social inclusion and enterprise
development. Send a cow Rwanda now Ripple Effect Rwanda is operating in Rwanda since
2001.
The organization is intervened in the sector through physical delivery of services, production,
and financial literacy to local communities. It’s work contributes to Rwanda’s NST1 and
PSTA4 where families are helped to move out of poverty by improving and increasing
agriculture productivity through knowledge dissemination/financial literacy. The organization
is also intervened in promoting soil conservation approaches by scaling up practice and
technologies that help farmers to be more resilient to climate shocks. (Rippleeffect.org, 2021)
The strengths to achieve this is that they have the ability to communicate at all levels, from
the local to the top levels of government.
They have both experts and highly motivated staff with fewer restrictions. Due to its existing
impactful work to the local societies, it gives them opportunity to access funds from different
donors. Even though the work targets are achieved, the organization is stressed with factors
like climate changes, local farmer’s mind sets and market shifts that leads to an increasing
demand of a finished product by communities.
3. PROBLEM
3.1.Problem description
For the past three months, since January 2023, I have been interning at the Ripple Effect
Rwanda/ECCO project in Bugesera. It has been a great opportunity to learn about the
working environment and to identify different potentials and opportunities at the farm level.
One of the challenges that I have been able to identify is soil infertility in the BugeseraMusenyi sector.
According to the "Bugesera District Development Strategy 2018/19-2023/24", the climate in
Bugesera is dry, with temperatures varying between 20 and 30°C, and an average range of 26
to 29°C. In the past, parts of the district, including Musenyi sector, experienced a long
drought during the 2022-2023A season, resulting in hunger in various parts, including
Musenyi sector.
Musenyi sector is one of the 15 sectors located in the west of the district, bordering sectors
like Kamabuye, Mareba, Mayange, and Mwogo. The sector has a population of 35,075 and
over 8,183 households. Its soils are generally sandy with a low quantity of humus, making
them very permeable. They dry quickly even after heavy rain, and continuous dryness of the
soil reduces forage crop yields, resulting in reduced fertilizer demand in Musenyi. Dryland
soils tend to have a moisture deficit and low soil organic matter, and are prone to erosion, all
contributing to fertility loss in the area due to reduced microbial access to soluble resources.
(NISR, 2022)
Despite the area facing a significant dry season, the district has been supporting the
implementation of agricultural development projects from its stakeholders to boost the
system. Among these projects is an ongoing establishment of Fodder multiplication sites in
Musenyi-Kgusa village by Ripple Effect Rwanda, a district partner. However, this project has
been facing several setbacks, including soil infertility where forage is planted. This results in
poor growth and less production of forage, leading to food insecurity for animal keepers in
Musenyi.
4. SOLUTION
The lack of access to quality farm inputs/compost has been a contributing limiting factor to
good production of forage for local farmers in Musenyi sector. For this reason, after being
trained by Ripple Effect and supporting my host organization's work towards its mission, and
with respect to my expected learning objectives for the internship, Section V "Understanding
the challenges farmers (soil infertility) face on the ground calls for my intervention with
compost making technology."
With the expected population increase in Rwanda to 16 million by 2030, local farmers
(animal keepers) need to be equipped with technologies that can help them cope with the
effects of environmental changes in the area.
Implementing a compost-making project in the area would be a solution for Musenyi forage
farmers to access quality fertilizers for their forage crops, hence boosting the level of animal
nutrition. Currently, Musenyi has one of the highest numbers of animals in the district that
can give manure as a compost recipe, including cows, goats, pigs, chickens, etc. Farmers can
also locally source other recipes like kitchen wastes, dried leaves, fresh garden trimmings,
straw, sawdust, shredded paper, newspaper, peanut shells, etc. to be used in the project.
Animal waste can be a good source of compost making, which is said to be better in
supporting plant health and production than raw animal manure. Compost-making technology
provides quality manure made from locally available recipes and amendments like dried
leaves, fresh garden trimmings, straw, manure (from herbivores: poultry, cattle, goat),
sawdust, shredded paper, newspaper, peanut shells, etc.
5. GOALS & OBJECTIVES
This section talks about the goals and objectives of implementing compost making project in
three months period.
The goal of the project is to help in increase of Musenyi soil fertility through production
of a high-quality compost.
The objective of the project is to establish a composting pile that will be used to teach at
least 75 local farmers compost making technology in three months. At least 80% of
participants would be using their self-made compost to fertilize their crops.
6. ACTIVITIES
This section explains the activities needed to complete compost making project for three
months period. The project is there to support Ripple effect’s work in improving food
security and livelihoods in coffee growing communities in Bugesera district area. Some of
compost making project activities are aligned with the existing running ECCO project
methodologies.
Activity 1: Local partnership
To support the implementation of compost making project in Musenyi, creation of strong
linkages with district/sector/cell leadership that will result in identification of potential
beneficiaries in the sector. This will bring collaboration and communication that will help in
ensuring improved project performance and the achievement of goals.
Activity 2: Participants/site selection and preparation
After collaborating with bugesera local leadership, the authority will help us in identification
of participants/local farmers in cells of Musenyi sector. 75 participants are expected to be
selected to directly benefit from compost making project. Selection criteria will be assessed
to find the participants. The selection will majorly be among members of already existing 18
former’s groups in villages of Kijuri, Kiruhuraa, Kigusa, Kigarama, Rugarama and Mbonwa.
75 Members (cows:15, goats:50) that have been donated cows and goats by Ripple effect are
intended to be the primary beneficiaries at the start of the project activities.
This will be achieved by visiting and meeting the selected number to discuss in meetings
about the project’s ambitions, goals, and objectives.
For the selection of a composting site, it will base on a suitable area that is easily accessible
for practice. The area must be well drained, ventilated and far from residences but far from
residences to promote one health aspects.
Activity 3: Gathering of resources.
Upon the completion of finding the working location and needed number of beneficiaries,
facilities, needs and resources will be gathered to start the project activities in the sector.
Basically, the resources will include human labor, financial resources locally available
recipes and amendments like dried leaves, fresh garden trimmings, straw, manure (from
herbivores: poultry, cattle, goat) sawdust, shredded paper, newspaper, and peanut shells.
Local materials equipment will be sourced from farmers and include Forked hoes, hoes,
spade, wheelbarrow, Thermometer, PH meter, Rake etc.
Activity 4: Composting management
To effectively manage the composting process, this will involve maintenance of a proper
balance of materials rich in carbon and nitrogen, ensure regularly monitoring of the moisture
and temperature levels, and consistently turning the compost pile. This will ensure that the
composting process is efficient and productive.
Activity 5: Training of trainers
To implement project’s activities, a one-day training will be offered to farmers to 18 trainers
each from 18 farmers’ groups to learn practical compost making skills and go to teach other
group members. The trainers to be selected will be the community group leaders. Trainings
will be held at Kijuri village, Musenyi sector. Trainings will base on basics of composting,
benefits of composting building and managing a compost pile.
Activity 6: Monitoring and Evaluation.
Upon the completion of the project trainings, evaluation will be carried out to among the
participants to assess the impact of the project in a given time. This involves looking at the
extent to which original objectives and specifications of the project are met.
The evaluation process will start from an ongoing project monitoring. Assessments will be
carried out through conduction case studies and data collection, and this will be done by a
selected team(staff). Evaluation will involve the measuring elements of success and failure of
the project. Data collected from the participants will be analyzed, interpreted for reporting.
7. METHODOLOGIES
Project methodologies are set of guiding method used plan, manage, and execute projects
activities. This part describes the methodologies that will be used to implement compost
making project and how they will achieve the project objectives.
There are various techniques that can be utilized for a community-based compost making
project, and the chosen approach will depend on several factors, such as the resources
available, the scale of the project, and its goals and objectives. Here are some examples:
1)Community Groups
To implement the project and reach the desired objectives, we will work with existing
community groups in cells of kijuri, kiruhura, kigusa, kigarama, rugarama and MbonwaMusenyi sector. Here leaders of the groups are expected to represent their groups to act as
trainers of others.
2)Establishing on site composting demos
The project expects to start having a composting demo site that serve as a learning platform
for knowledge demonstration to trainers. This will be started with design and building a
composting pile on the selected standard area using materials like animal manure, leaves,
grass clippings, food scraps, and other organic waste.
3)Vermicomposting
Vermicompost is a nutrient-rich fertilizer produced through the decomposition of vegetable
or food waste using various species of worms e.g., earth worms. This compost is to fasten the
undergoing big compost. And this can be done for cases where sites have less action of
organic matter like worms to break down organic waste into compost (Environmental
Management,, 2017)
4)Field visits/follow up.
To have a picture on what is happening on the ground, field visits will be conducted to review
and assess the completeness. This is a way of extension that will be done by visiting
households, farms, and former’s groups to motivate where it seems not to be going well. This
activity will be an ongoing process along the project duration.
8. DELIVERABLES
With respect to project and academic objectives, jointly with Ripple effect, I will develop a
prototype by designing and developing a composting pile/ system, a comprehensive
composting guide or manual, helping in compost quality analysis (using rule of thumb) and
promoting education duties to raise awareness about composting in the community.
I will also submit a written project proposal, budget proposal and a progressive report to be
submitted to my host organization (Ripple effect Rwanda) at the end of the internship. The
key components of the proposal will be components-Problem justification, Intervening
activities &Action plan.
9. IMPACT
A compost making project is expected to bring multiple benefits and influences to various
stakeholders i.e., direct beneficiaries, community, and other partners.
With the progress of project activities, impact assessment will be conducted. This will be
done by conducting case studies/surveys, data collection and analysis over a given time. The
following are expected impacts of the project within 3- 4months in musenyi farmers.
Number of farmers trained.
Number of farmers benefiting, adopted and applied the technology.
Quantity of compost produced during project lifetime.
Number households increasing agricultural yields.
Number of households increasing income
10.LIMITATION
Project risks and uncertainties
Agricultural development projects in developing countries are especially implemented under
environment of risk and uncertainty due to the nature of agriculture. Like any other project in
the sector, some risks and limitations with severity that affect the success of the project are
listed below, the severe one includes;
Weak supporting system
If it gets to happen and the supporting environment from all the project partners become
weak, the project expectations are expected be hindered to be reached in a specified time
frame. To combat this, teamwork enforcement will be needed among the stakeholders.
Time
To ensure the project schedule is met, time activities must fit into the action plan timeframe. I
find three months of implementing and evaluating the project to be intense hence proper
project Planning and Management (PPM) skills are needed to fit the activities timeframe i.e.,
use of time, people & resources must efficiently and effectively do during the project.
Climate change
Change in climate changes can hinder project’s work. Example as of now we are
experiencing a too much rain in Bugesera and by the time to implement the project rains, that
would delay or stop the ongoing activities to continue hance cost overruns. To mitigate this
risk, a good established schedule and plan is needed to ensure a clear path.
Other expected risks that can hinder project activities are indicated in the table below with
their severity, likelihood, and plan.
Risks
Project rejection
Severity
Critical
Likelihood
Unlikely
Delay of project
approval by the host
Critical
Likely
Budget
Overruns
Moderate
Unlikely
Lack or inadequate
land for the
operation
Contamination and
bad odor
Critical
Unlikely
Critical
Likely
Plan
Possible revision of
the project idea
proposal with the
supervisor
Proper communication
will be needed through
the supervisor to
quicken the process
Communication to
host supervisor
through budget report,
enforcing project
management skills and
knowledge(supervisor)
Working with local
leadership to find one
Selection of
appropriate location
far from residence
area
Use of clean and
uncontaminated
recipes
11.TIMELINE
The table below shows a compost making project timeline, activities, location, responsible
parties, and the needed resources to implement the project is effective and sustainable.
Dates
Activities
Location
Responsible
Resources
party
13/04/2023
Host/local
Bugesera/musenyi Ripple effect
Time,
partnership
Transport
14/04/2023
Site /participants
Bugesera,
Ripple effect
Data sources,
selection
musenyi sector
Staff, and
other
resources
like travel
expenses
17/04/2023
Resource
Finance: Ripple
Ripple effect
Budget,
gathering/allocation. effect
Materials,
and
equipment
21/04/2023
24/04/2023
Visit/Meeting the
participants.
-Organization
structure
Trainings
25/04/202325/05/2023
Extension,
visits/follow-up
12/06/202320/06/2023
M&E-Case studies,
Data collection
Bugesera/musenyi
Ripple effect
Staff, time
Bugesera/musenyi
Ripple effect
Bugesera/musenyi
Ripple effect
Demo site,
Staff/trainers,
Materials,
Teaching
materials
Staff,
Transport,
time
Staff,
questionaries
12.REVELANCE OF THE PROJECT
Academic interests
The capstone project culminates the prior academic experience by providing me a good
experience to investigate and take part in solving the real-life problem in the community and
promoting the wellbeing of the local farmers.
With that, implementing the project will enable me(student) to gain skills in project planning
and management as a powerful tool used to plan, organize, implement & control activities
with the efficiency and effective use of resources.
Also composting projects can provide a practical, hands-on approach to learning about
important concepts in agriculture (environmental science and sustainability). By engaging in
composting projects, can help me(student) to develop a better understanding of the natural
world and learn how to apply this knowledge to promote a healthier, more sustainable future.
Host Relevance
Ripple effect as an organization has been working with resource poor community members in
bugesera, Musenyi sector to increase income, savings, and diversified income sources for
farming families for almost one and a half years. Implementing a compost making project
would be a contributing input to the organization’s work as I will be supplementing the already
existing project to reach the mission.
Professional Interests
Implementing compost making project would be a way to strengthen skills in project
management, planning and implementation.
Also being able to take part in implementing this project within my host organization, would
be a giving back to my host and community and this can provide an opportunity to advance
my career by volunteering at nonprofits. This also provides me a great networking
opportunities and chances to serve on organization and the needy local farmers to gain
leadership and problem-solving experience.
RICA Threads
 Conservation
RICA is an institution that teaches new generation basic hands-on experiences. It engages
youth to make innovative and entrepreneurship skills in the sector while conserving the
environment (RICA, 2021)
Composting is nature's way of recycling organic matter. Through composting, organics are
recycled into a nutrient-rich soil amendment similar to fertilizer. While implementing
compost making, will be one of the ways of conserving the environment. Compost retains a
large volume of water, thus helping to prevent/reduce erosion, reduce runoff, and establish
vegetation. Compost improves downstream water quality by retaining pollutants such as
heavy metals, nitrogen, phosphorus, oil and grease, fuels, herbicides, and pesticides.

One health
This is a concept and science that recognizes that human health, animal health and ecosystem
health are intertwined (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2022).
With University threads, the project promotes one health principles by managing the wastes
and recycle them to come up with a quality compost that can be used to fertilize crops.
Normally this compost is promoting one health principles by not inhibiting the bad odor that
was from the decayed wastes of animal, Crop residues, and fruit and vegetables. Example
animal manure that are mostly used to give a poor odor, disease source that could disturb
human health is used as a recipe during compost making hence no bad odor again.
13.CONCLUSION
The project proposal is aimed at improving soil fertility in Musenyi sector by implementing a
composting technology. The project targets 75 selected participants who have been donated
with livestock and aims to increase soil fertility through the production of quality compost
using household and farm waste. The project will also include training sessions on building
and managing a composting pile, which will be offered to trainers to teach others. The
project's deliverables are quality compost and the impact will be measured by the number of
farmers trained, benefited, and adopting the technology. The project may face limitations
such as time and environment. Participating in the project will benefit Host, RICA, personal
academic and professional interests. To ensure the success of composting projects, it is
crucial to identify and mitigate any risks or limitations associated with them. This can be
achieved by carefully managing the composting process, selecting a suitable location, and a
clear budget. By doing so, risks such as contamination, odor issues and cost overruns can be
prevented.
14.REFERENCES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, November 08). What is One Health?
Retrieved from www.cdc.gov: https://www.cdc.gov/onehealth/basics/index.html
Environmental Management,. (2017, August 13). Vermicomposting. Retrieved from
www.sciencedirect.com: https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetarysciences/vermicomposting
NISR. (2022, August 13). Census 2022. Retrieved from statistics.gov.rw:
https://statistics.gov.rw/publication/main_indicators_2022
RICA. (2021, July 17). About RICA. Retrieved from rica.rw: www.rica.rw
Rippleeffect.org. (2021, July 17). Our work. Retrieved from ww.rippleeffect.org:
https://rippleeffect.org/about/where-we-work/rwanda/
Bugesera District Development Strategy report, 2018/19-2023/24