AID - Friends of Rwanda, a goodwill aid initiative from US citizens, has raised $0.5 million (approximately Frw270m) to construct boreholes for the poor people in two districts. 

The recipient districts are Kamonyi in Southern Province and Nyarugenge in Kigali City, where twelve boreholes have been constructed.

The initiative launched last year by President Paul Kagame while on an official visit in the US, is being implemented by Living Water International through its Rwanda Chapter.

"The pledge of Americans (Friends of Rwanda) to President Kagame last year has started to bear the fruits,” Prof. Munyanganizi Bikoro, the State Minister for Water and Mines, said.

He made the comments on Friday at the inaugural ceremony of twelve boreholes constructed so far in various parts of the two districts by Living Water International.

The function, which took place at Kugitikinyoni, an area lying on the outskirts of Kigali City, attracted hundreds of area residents who appealed to the government for more water reservoirs.

"Let us work together in all required aspects to keep "Friends of Rwanda” with us in our pursuit for vision 2020 mission,” Bokoro added. 

 The Americans’ amity funded water drilling project, according to Bikoro, will purposely target poor communities with no access to clear water countrywide.

Dr Otto J Helweg, the Coordinator of Living Water International in Rwanda, said: "This is our beginning and more is coming.

The extra $0.5m is to be injected in further construction of more boreholes in the country because my fellow countrymen have expressed goodwill support for Rwanda’s progress.”
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