The management and staff members of Equity Bank Rwanda on Wednesday donated cows to 15 vulnerable Genocide survivors in Kayonza District as part of the 24th commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi.

The cows, worth Rwf6 million, were given to Genocide survivors drawn from three sectors of Mukarange, Nyamirama and Ruramira as a contribution towards government’s effort to fight poverty through Girinka programme.

The handover of the cows was preceded by paying tribute to victims interred at Mukarange Genocide memorial, which hosts over 8,000 Genocide victims.

Addressing the survivors, Hannington Namara, the bank’s managing Director, said the bank will continue to work with authorities in identifying more families that need support so they can be helped.

"Supporting vulnerable families,  especially Genocide survivors, is part of the country’s commemoration programmes and we, as a financial institution, felt that supporting needy Genocide survivors and joining them in paying tribute to their lost loved ones, is a shared responsibility with all Rwandans.”

Jean Claude Murenzi, the mayor of Kayonza District, thanked the bank for the support and requested the beneficiaries to take good care of the cows they were given, making the most of them to improve their lives in one way or another.

Emmanuel Nshimyumukiza, one of the beneficiaries, said he was using Rwf40 000 every planting season to buy manure for his farm while his family had to drink milk only when they had money.

‘‘That will soon be a thing of the past,’’ he said.

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