First lady Mrs. Jeannette Kagame has paid tribute to Heifer International for their role in helping vulnerable families in Rwanda fight poverty.

Mrs. Kagame said this on Friday evening, during her keynote address at the Heifer International 4th Annual Gala Dinner dubbed "Beyond hunger: A place at the table".

The event was held in Beverly Hills, California, and brought together diverse advocates working for the sustainable empowerment of communities around the world. 

Held since 2012, this event raises awareness and resources for marginalized women and their families worldwide. Heifer recognizes the integral role women have in feeding the world and believes that beneficial development strategies are the ones that include women as central players.

"While tonight offers the opportunity to award the staunchest advocates of poverty reduction in the United States and around the globe, we are also here to keep the momentum of our commitment to helping vulnerable families,” urged the First lady.

Mrs Kagame also noted that Heifer’s flagship program involved the donation of cows, which holds a very special meaning, as in the Rwandan culture a cow’s worth transcends its economic value.

"It represents various social ties deeply rooted in one of our longest-standing traditions. A tradition that places cows at the heart of cultural celebrations and symbolizes true friendship, prosperity and respect.”

Heifer International is an American based nonprofit organisation whose mission is ‘to work with communities to end hunger and poverty while caring for the earth.’ 

Working in Rwanda since 2000, Heifer has supported 45,000 project participants with livestock donations, agricultural inputs and capacity building to create food and financial security, while supporting agroecological productivity and biodiversity.

This organisation laid a strong foundation for economic empowerment of local communities by planting the seeds of solidarity through the Passing on the gift model, which gives the first female offspring of a livestock to another impoverished family. 

Sharing a personal testimony, Mrs. Kagame said that the impact of Heifer International is significant, because it supports a model that not only makes economic sense but also touches the hearts and minds of the people by emphasizing on Rwandan customs and practices, through the use of cows and milk, as the prime instruments of their interventions.

"As you may know, we so fondly refer to our beloved country as the land of milk and honey…Knowing that in our culture a cup of milk is always welcomed with delight and appreciation.” said Mrs. Kagame in her speech.

She further added that Heifer International has contributed to other national programs in lifting at least one million Rwandan people out of poverty, in bid to preserve national dignity, hope and self-reliance.

"I am here to testify that this initiative could only be a natural fit in our values; I am here to thank you on behalf of the many families that have benefited from this program.”

Mrs. Kagame, who is also the founder of Imbuto Foundation, which has been instrumental in promoting girl child education and recognizing compassionate women in the society through Malayika Mulinzi initiative,--said that Rwanda works through partnerships with likeminded stakeholders, who understand the importance of local culture when designing local initiatives.

The First Lady urged that such initiatives should not rest but rather keep the momentum until better social justice has been reached.