As the country prepares to mark the 20th Liberation anniversary on Friday, Rwandans have been urged to work hard as the struggle to liberate the country from poverty is still on. 

Addressing thousands of Kicukiro residents who had turned up for monthly community work, Umuganda, on Saturday in Masaka, the Minister for Local Government, James Musoni, rallied for self-reliance, saying it is the only way they would dignify themselves. 

"Agaciro [Development Fund] is our only vehicle to progress and remains our only weapon against poverty. This year, we celebrate the 20th anniversary of liberation but that liberation struggle never ended,” Musoni, who was accompanied by several officials, including senior officers of Rwanda Defence Forces, said. 

He also reminded the people that liberation starts with individual commitment. 

"Liberation is not a given; it is earned by everyone, so we each need to play our role to liberate ourselves from poverty,” the minister said.

Village for the needy

Meanwhile, during the Umuganda Minister Musoni unveiled a new village consisting 40 houses, a health centre and a market constructed for families evicted from Tanzania and vulnerable survivors of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. 

"Each family, on top of the house, will be given Rwf100,000 to help them settle in but make sure this money is your starting capital to get rich,” Musoni said. 

Of the 40 families that got houses, 30 are for Genocide survivors.

Each house has two bedrooms, a living room, kitchen store, bathroom and toilet. 

Fanny Mukamana, 50, a Genocide survivor and mother of five, was excited after being given the house. 

"I never dreamt of owning such a beautiful house, government has really been with me throughout…all my children are in school; I sincerely cannot ask for more,” Mukamana said.