Rotary Club of Kigali Virunga, on Saturday, June 27, held an installment ceremony of their new president of the club, Jwala Kumar.

During the ceremony that was held in Kigali, Kumar was handed responsibilities, a club medal, pin and seal by the outgoing president Jenipher Ingabire.

Rotary Club Kigali Virunga is the only rotary club for English speakers among other six clubs in Rwanda.

Kumar will preside over the club for one year.

The ceremony was attended by different guests including High Commissioner of India to Rwanda, Oscar Kerketta and the High Commissioner of Nigeria to Rwanda, Adamu Onoze Shuiabu who is also a member of Rotary Club of Kigali Virunga.

In his speech, the Indian envoy commended the club’s effort to have a positive impact on societies around the world.

He thanked the outgoing team for tirelessly serving the community.

Attendants were presented to the new team that will serve with Jwala Kumar.

The club currently has 31 members, two of whom were granted membership at the same ceremony.

Focus on health sector

In an interview with The New Times, Kumar shed light on his agenda that will emphasize the health sector.

"The club’s projects touch different sectors but this year we will focus on the health sector. We have some ongoing projects and we will also come up with new ones in the near future,” he said.

Among the ongoing projects is Kigali Cancer House that will help cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy at Rwanda Cancer Center at Rwanda Military Hospital.  

Located in Kinyinya, the building will host 50 patients, provide them with shelter, transport to and from the hospital and other basics. It will cost Rwf70 million.

Other projects include supporting people with disabilities and assisting in paying for Mutuelle de Sante subscriptions, major medical insurance in Rwanda. Kigali Public Library is among the club’s bigger projects.

Rotary Club of Kigali Virunga is part of Rotary International, a non-political or religious international service organization whose purpose is to bring together business and professional leaders to provide humanitarian services and to advance goodwill and peace around the world.

It has over 1.2 million members from 159 countries. It has been operating in Rwanda since 1986.