The number of students participating in voluntary national service, locally known as Urugerero, has grown  exponentially, officials have said.

The growth has seen over 59,000 students meant to join university and other institutions of higher learning participating in Urugerero within a span of only six months.

The National Itorero Commission (NIC) organises various activities under Urugerero, whose outcomes are paramount to national development.

"More than 59,000 students took part in national service between January 26 and June 28 this year. They participated in different activities that improve the social welfare of citizens. The students started the national service after spending four days in camps, where they received civic education, which motivated them to work hard and uphold the values of the Rwandan culture,” Boniface Rucagu, the chairman of the NIC, told this paper last week.

The national service programme is in line with the Government’s notion of self-reliance and dignity.

The activities the students engaged in included  awareness campaigns on development projects, HIV/AIDS, gender balance, family planning, adult literacy and community work (Umuganda).

Signaling deep commitment among the youth, Rucagu rated the achievements of Intore (participants) at 75% during the six months of national service.

He, however, cited some obstacles such as inadequate tools in some communities.

"The students sometimes failed to get tools at cell offices. Cleaning roads requires special tools such as pickaxes. In some cases, they would postpone some activities because of the indifference of grassroots leaders. Some activities were not accomplished as expected,” Rucagu said.

"We have worked closely with sector executive secretaries during their civic education so that these obstacles will not be encountered next year. We congratulate parents for  encouraging their children to participate in national service,” he added.

Expectations from youth

Rucagu maintained that youth should devote their skills and strength to activities aimed at changing their communities.

"They should grow physically and mentally through hard work, creativity, upholding positive values and working together,” he said.

"The country’s development leans on the young generation. The Government is investing a lot of efforts in the youth to raise them into productive and innovative citizens.”

Supervisors recognise efforts

Theogene Niyonshima, the supervisor of Itorero Taskforce in Rulindo District, said the contribution of youth in national service was remarkable.

The district worked with 1,407 students.

"The students have contributed a lot to the community in this year’s voluntary  exercise. The district worked closely with the students to help them accomplish their mission. The communities were also cooperative when students visited their homes to sensitise them on development policies,” he said.

"They taught adults, carried out sanitation drives, supported Genocide survivors and conducted various awareness campaigns.”

Jean de Dieu Habiyambere, the supervisor of Itorero Taskforce in Gisagara District, also said the students were productive.

"Gisagara residents recognise the hard work of the students who participated in national service in the past six months. The students were exemplary and demonstrated  that education can change  society. The old perception about students in vacation being idlers has changed,” Habiyambere said.

Students speak

Rose Mary Nyiramariza, an Intore from Shangi sector, Nyamasheke District, said she was helped by the civic education she acquired to accomplish her performance contract towards national service.

"We were taught that volunteerism characterises a patriotic citizen. During civic education trainings, we learned how patriotic people should behave. I consider  myself among patriotic people, which encouraged me to work hard. It is difficult to spend six months working without a reward, but a patriotic person does not focus on rewards, rather the development of the country,” Nyiramariza said.

Christian Rukundo, an Intore from Remera sector, Gasabo District, said working with other students simplified the activities.

"The service is good for the young generation as it brings our efforts together to build the country. No one will come from abroad to build our country, except we the children of Rwanda. The young generation forms the majority of the population of Rwanda. We have to bring our efforts together to shape the future of the country. Volunteerism must be part of our culture ,” Rukundo said.

More than 800 students did not finish the service due to different reasons, including having to return to school to continue their studies.

Statistics show that 148,301 Rwandans have attended national service since 2013.