Parents have been urged to endeavour to give their children milk to facilitate their proper growth.

Dr Geraldine Mukeshimana, the minister for agriculture and animal resources, made the appeal, yesterday, during an awareness campaign about the importance of drinking milk.

Dubbed "Our milk, our health and our future,” the campaign was organised by Rwanda National Dairy Platform (RNDP) together with Ministry of Agriculture.

Dozens of pupils from various primary schools in Kigali participated in the campaign through writing poems and essays which they presented before guests that were present at the event.

The event was preceded by a march by pupils in downtwon Kigali before gathering at Car-Free Zone.

At the event, the children were served milk by officials and urged to always take a cup of milk every morning and before going to bed for a healthy living.

Minister Mukeshimana highlighted the importance of drinking milk to children growth and development.

"Rwanda is known as a land of milk and honey, parents should let their children develop a culture of drinking milk, and rearing cattle for it is one of the things that define a true Rwandan,” she said.

Florence Musime Umurungi, the chairperson Rwanda National Dairy Platform, said parents should shun the misconception that milk is only meant for children due to its numerous advantages.

She said similar events in schools will be held across the city in support of government’s campaign, dubbed ‘One-cup-per-child,” which she suggested could turn into "one cup per Rwandan.”

Jamira Nyiramukiza and Nickita Karuranga, some of the pupils at yesterday’s event won prizes, including schoolbags and calculators, for their outstanding essays and poems on milk and its importance.

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