The University of Rwanda’s College of Medicine and Health Sciences (CMHS) has launched a fund dubbed ‘Students’ Hardship Fund’ meant to help poor students pursue their studies.

The Fund follows reports that several needy students fail to register, and pay tuition fees and can’t afford accommodation and meals which affects their studies, according to those behind the initiative.

The Fund, that started in January with Rw500,000, has so far disbursed Rwf5 million to needy students.

An initiative of the College principal, the Fund receives contributions gets money from lecturers and students.

The Fund covers tuition, registration fee, accommodation, meals, among other things.

Speaking at the official launch of the Fund last week, Prof. Philip Cotton, the College’s Principal, urged the public to support disadvantaged students.

He reaffirmed the College’s readiness to ensure students have a conducive learning environment.

"A single student from CMHS being unable to pursue their studies means losing a doctor, physiotherapist, anesthetist, physician and any other medics who wouldm, have saved the lives of Rwandans in the future. We have to ensure all students study well because they are the future of our country’s health sector,” he said, adding that unless people are healthy, the nation cannot be economically viable.

Patrick Ntamukunzi, a third year student in Human Nutrition and Dietetic at the College, who has benefited from the Fund, said the Fund came in his time of need.

"Last academic year I was stuck because I did not have money for registration. Fortunately, the Students’ Hardship Fund covered the cost and now I am studying like others,” Ntamukunzi said.

Several other students like Josiane Uwineza of clinical medicine, and Sylvestre Bariyanga of Anesthesia, also acknowledged the Fund’s contribution toward their studies.

"At the beginning of this academic year, I lost my luggage including a laptop. My studies were in balance but thanks to the Fund I got a laptop and other support,” Uwineza said.

For Bariyanga, his family was unable to pay tuition after he missed out on government sponsorship last year.

"I had lost hope. I was unable to get accommodation, meals and other basic needs. I am grateful to the Student Hardship Fund which helped me pay tuition fees and cover accommodation and other necessities,” he said.

The Fund so far is covering tuition fees for 12 students, has given out four laptops and paid registration fees for six students amounting to Rwf33,000 each.

However, CHMS says their resources are still insufficient as many poor students are requesting for support.

ICT Center for disabled students

Meanwhile, last Friday, the College inaugurated an ICT lab for students with special needs.

The lab would save disabled students the burden of going up and down stairs for laboratory or computer services.

"Climbing stairs is risky for students with disabilities. They might fall down; it is even tiresome and difficult to carry a notebook when moving on crutches. But now that the lab is at the ground level, we can go and study easily, said Joseph Bizimana, a third-year Laboratory student.

College officials committed to equiping the lab with disabled user-friendly equipments.

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