Bank of Kigali (BK) has donated Friesian cows to 20 families in Kiramuruzi Sector, Gatsibo District, as support to survivors of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

The bank also built a kraal for each beneficiary and provided veterinary drugs that will last at least three months, according to Dr James Gatera, the BK chief executive.

Felicien  Niyonzima, the president of Ibuka, an umbrella organisation of Genocide survivors’ associations, in Gatsibo, said the gesture was timely.

"We had one of the worst genocides in the world; in just six days almost all Tutsi in this area had been wiped out,” he said.

Niyonzima also expressed optimism that the donation would play a crucial role in turning around the lives of recipients.

Odette Uwamariya, the governor of Eastern Province, called upon residents to learn from mistakes of the past. 

She also urged residents to embrace Ndi Umunyarwanda, a government programme aimed at promoting unity and reconciliation among Rwandans.

Theophile Rwanga, a beneficiary, said the cows would help him kick out malnutrition from  his home.

"I will no longer spend much on fertilisers for my farm since I now have cows,” Rwanga said.

During the 1994 Genocide, seven of his family members were wiped out.