Plan Rwanda celebrated International Volunteers Day (IVD) in Kiziguro sector of Gatsibo District Friday.

IVD has been marked annually on December since it was designated by the UN General Assembly in 1985.This year’s theme was: ‘My role in contributing to development of the nation.’ About 300 volunteers were awarded certificates of merit and mobile telephones.

Ezekiel Rukema of Plan Rwanda commended volunteers who work with the organisation saying they were instrumental in giving vulnerable children education.

"Plan Rwanda has only 120 workers; they cannot serve the 14,000 children we support in Rwanda schools. We can’t even get enough money to pay hundreds of volunteers we have across the country,” he said.

"It is the first time Plan has celebrated this Day. We are not only celebrating volunteerism in all its facets, but also pay special tribute to people’s participation in making a difference”.

Ambrose Ruboneza, the Mayor of Gatsibo District commended Plan Rwanda for its role in social development, noting that it built modern pre-school classrooms and supported the One Cow per Poor Family programme by donating over 2,000 cows.

"The contribution of volunteers in engaging people from the grassroots in decision making processes is of great importance. Volunteerism ultimately creates space for participation that leads to stronger governance, social cohesion, peace and sustainable development,” he said.

Claudine Mukabutera, a volunteer, said she enjoys her work, noting that helping vulnerable children is a good gesture.

"Working as a volunteer has not only helped network with national and international personalities, but it has also made me a very respectable woman in the community. We help children connect with international sponsors and protect their rights,” she said.