About 200 children from all the districts in the country were hosted by the First Lady, Mrs Jeannette Kagame, yesterday, for the holiday children’s party at Village Urugwiro in Kigali.

The celebration dubbed, "End of Year Children’s Party,” started at 8am with dancing and delights, sharing of poems by the young participants and ended with gift-giving, cutting of the cake with the First Lady, and a luncheon.

The children’s party involved those aged between seven and 12 years, drawn from all 30 districts of the country, along with children of the staff of Village Urugwiro, Imbuto Foundation, and Unity Club.

The invitees included well-performing students, those coming from vulnerable backgrounds and children living with a disability.

Conversing with the children present, Mrs Kagame urged them to work hard in school, be respectful of others and always aim higher to achieve great ambitions in their lives.

The young participants also shared with the First Lady their subjects of choice in school, and talked about the impact Imbuto Foundation programmes had in their lives, such as the 12+ initiative, which empowers adolescent girls with important socio-economic and health information.

"It has become a culture that we meet and celebrate the end of year, also wishing one another a prosperous new year. This time, I want to challenge you to start a new year with new ambitions, and aiming to be mindful and humble children both in school and at home,” she said.

The First Lady advised the children to be cautious about the choices they make in life, as those choices will affect their ability to fulfil their dreams in the future.

Participants at the event also included the Minister for Sports and Culture, Julienne Uwacu; the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Children, Dr Claudine Uwera Kanyamanza; members of the Unity Club, along with district representatives and parents.

Arthur Nkusi, 9, from Kamonyi District, said he would go back to school next term, aiming to apply more discipline in his school work.

"The First Lady told us about the value of discipline and love for our county, I will make sure that I don’t disappoint her and my family,” said Nkunsi.

Martha Mukundiyukuri, a primary three pupil from St Matheus in Rusizi District, thanked the First Lady for giving her a new schoolbag, which included as gifts, textbooks, a mathematical set, a football and personal hygiene tools, and other school necessities.

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