Survivors of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi have lived through difficult moments that left wounds which some are still scarring from. To ease the pain, individuals, organisations, companies and the State have chipped in with various forms of support.
Survivors of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi have lived through difficult moments that left wounds which some are still scarring from. To ease the pain, individuals, organisations, companies and the State have chipped in with various forms of support.
Letshego Rwanda, a microfinance company is one of those that care for them and this festive season, it joined survivors of Kinyinya sector, Gasabo District to celebrate Christmas.
The company donated various foodstuffs such as rice, cooking oil, maize flour, milk, salt and sugar.
Joel Uwizeye, chief executivee officer of Letshego Rwanda, said the support is part of the company’s social responsibility.
"Letshego means support and this is within our responsibility of giving back. They need help to revive their hope for tomorrow and we will keep supporting them. In these festive days, it’s time parents visit children and vice versa. But these ones have no relatives to do that for them. We have come to share Christmas with them so that they can celebrate like others. It is with love and compassion that we have done this,” he said.
Albert Musabyimana, head of Peace and hope Initiative, a non-profit organisation that runs the village of survivors, said this support will help them not feel isolated.
"We thank Letshego and wish that they keep their helping hand open. The support was donated to 30 families of the elderly and the most vulnerable among others to help them feel cared for,” he said.
Beneficiaries welcomed the support, saying it will be source of pleasure.
"We have no jobs and have no families. So this support is very crucial to our lives and will help us enjoy Christmas,” said Odette Mukamuseruka.
"We don’t have families here but we are so happy because when they come, we realise that there are those who remember that there are people here who don’t have anyone to cater for them,” another widow Speciose Kangwera said.
The company also contributed Rwf 5 million to Agaciro Development Fund.
Letshego Rwanda was established in Rwanda in 2004.
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