ANGELIQUE NYIRANDIKUBWIMANA has been living with relatives in a small house since 2009 after she took a decision to repatriate from the DR Congo jungles where she had lived as a refugee for over a decade.

She had left Rwanda towards the end of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

"After living as a refugee for  15 years, I returned only to find all property including my family house gone. I had to move in with a relative,” said the 55-year-old mother of three.

Nyirandikubwimana is a resident of Mukamira Sector in Nyabihu District.

"We were two families of more than 10 people and lived in a small house. Though we worked hard to survive and received other forms of support, it increasingly became difficult, especially when it was time to sleep,” Nyirandikubwimana said.

"The government has been on our side. We have been given animals to rear, seeds to plant on our farms, and we  also receive health insurance. But despite all this, I always dreamt of having my own house,” she said.

Dream realised

Nyirandikubwayo’s dream came true on Tuesday as the Ministry for Disaster Management and Refugee Affairs, with its partners, donated iron sheets and nails to over 47 vulnerable families, 39 of them returnees.

Each family received 42 iron sheets and nails which will be used to complete their houses.

"I am very happy for the support. I now have hope of owning a house. My family will  no longer be a burden to neighbours,” she said.

With help from neighbours and family, I had managed to bring up the structure for the house and only lacked roofing. With this donation, I will own a home in a matter of weeks. I thank government for the assistance,” she adds.

Other beneficiaries also commended the support.

"I have been staying with my sister-in-law who already had a big family. Now that I have the iron sheets, I am ready to build my own house,” said Donatha Niyirora, another single mother of four.

Seraphine Mukantabana, the Minister for Disaster Management and Refugee Affairs, said the support is part of  government’s efforts to ensure all Rwandans lead a better life.

"The government is committed to transforming your lives. All returnees come with nothing and need help right from the basic needs,” she said.

She said the programme to support returnees is currently being implemented in five districts of Musanze, Bugesera, Nyamagabe, Nyabihu and Rubavu.

The project, will effective next month, be extended to other five districts namely Karongi, Rutsiro, Nyamasheke, Ngorerero and Ruzizi, according to minister Mukantabana.

Mukantabana urged the returnees to work hard and make up for the lost time.

She also urged them to communicate with their relatives and neighbours who are still in DR Congo jungles to repatriate and live meaningful lives.

There are more other government initiatives aimed at solving the plight of vulnerable citizens. The government is supporting the needy vulnerable families in partnership with One UN.