Ten Genocide survivors in Kamonyi District have received 10 hybrid cows worth Rwf3 million from Bank Populaire du Rwanda (BPR) to help them improve their livelihoods, according to Aaron Turamye, the bank’s chief operations human resource officer.

Turamye said the bank lost over 30 employees in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

"Even though they left us, some of their families still need assistance. So, the best way to remember them is by helping the families they left behind,” Turamye said while handing over the cows over the weekend.

The beneficiaries are Felicite Nyirakaje, Dative Uzamuranga, Jean Damascene Rutabana, Modeste Niyibizi, Drocella Uzamukunda, Alphonse Irafasha, Esther Musabwasoni, Eugene Shaka, Odette Mukagasana and Joselyne Uzamukunda.

Jean Marie Vianey Rwiririza, the executive secretary of Nyamiyaga in Kamonyi, thanked the bank for its gesture, and called on the beneficiaries to use the cows to generate income for their families.

Jean de Dieu Musirikale, a representative from Girinka, advised the beneficiaries to use the manure from the cows to boost crop productivity.

"With the animals, you can generate manure to apply in your gardens and enhance crop production,” Musirikale said.

Athanase Gahigi, the president of Ibuka, an association in charge of ensuring justice for survivors, pointed out that the cows will help improve nutrition among households. Felicite Nyirakaje, a beneficiary, commended BPR for its efforts geared at improving the lives of the people.