The Development Bank of Rwanda (BRD) on Friday donated 11 dairy cows to Genocide survivors in Ndora Sector in Gisagara District to help empower them economically.

The donation was made ahead of commemoration event that the district held on Saturday.

The bank also contributed Rwf4 million towards the construction of a new Genocide memorial in the district which was inaugurated on Saturday.

"We came to join the district in comforting people who survived 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. We found it necessary to give them cows as a way to encourage them and raise their hopes to develop themselves,” said Vincent Ngirikiringo, the Chief Finance Officer at BRD.

He added that the bank gains a lot in having a population that is prosperous and, according to him, this support will boost the government cattle stocking programme, Girinka.

The district’s vice mayor in charge of economic development, Jean Paul Hanganimana, thanked the bank saying that the support will help the beneficiaries to escape poverty.

"In Rwandan culture, giving a cow to someone symbolises love and wealth. Cows will definitely improve the beneficiaries’ welfare. We encourage them to pass the calves onto their neighbours who do not have, to ensure theat wealth is spread out,” he said.

Francine Musabyimana, one of the beneficiaries, said she was pleased to receive the donation, adding that the family will also benefit in the form of increased crop productivity as a result of manure from the cow.

Bonifrida Mukagasana, another beneficiary, said that before 1994, they had many cows but their animals were eaten by the militia, adding that they are thrilled they will now get milk.

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