When the Government of Rwanda imposed a lockdown on the City of Kigali three weeks ago, thousands of households were left without foodstuff and other basic neccessities that could sustain them for days.

According to officials, more than 140,000 households with no source of income were in dire need of relief supplies.

Subsequently, youth volunteers who have been at the forefront of enforcing Covid-19 preventive measures across the country, joined forces with local leaders to ease hardships on vulnerable community members, including supplying them with food relief.

"Local leaders were our main partners over the last few weeks in Kigali. They would reach us in our respective villages and we would join them to pack food relief deliveries before we could distribute them to the vulnerable families,” said Stella Yasin Igihozo, one of the young volunteers in Nyarugenge District.

Igihozo, a graduate from the Davis College Akillah Campus, added: "I can’t say that we distribute the food to poor families but instead we focus on the households that have been impacted by the pandemic, especially during the lockdown.”

Longin Irakiza, one of the volunteers at the forefront of the food distribution exercise, described being part of the effort as "a simple call to duty” owing to the fact that he has been volunteering for the past five years.

"When you are part of such a noble cause like transporting foodstuff to neighborhoods, and seeing the way it is received with a lot of excitement, it is very rewarding. I have been a volunteer for the past five years, but I am particularly proud that I am able to play my part in the country’s fight against the virus.” He added: "Volunteerism doesn’t deprive us of the right to chase our own dreams, as young people, we have been able to do both at the same time.”

Irakiza called on fellow youth to join the volunteering team, adding that the fight is still ongoing.

"I would like to encourage other youths to come and join this effort because this fight is far from over. As young people, we are energetic and have the ability to productively use our minds and impact our country positively,” he added.

Asked about her experience as a Covid volunteer, Chance Mugwaneza, a student at the University of Tourism Technology and Business Studies (UTB), said, "I look at it as a responsibility to help in such situations. Even in times of hardships like this, young people should ensure that people stay aware and well informed.”

"Volunteering is one aspect that can bring people together,” said Mugwaneza, adding, "It is a wonderful experience. It has given us a chance to develop and grow such skills like communicating with people, soft skills and others.”

Speaking to The New Times, Eric Bayisenge, National Secretary General, Youth Volunteers, noted that at least 2,081 volunteers were part of the food distribution exercise that helped deliver food relief to over 148,000 vulnerable households in the capital.

"This has exceptionally been a difficult period, especially for the youth. But many young people have been at the service of their service. Rwandans have been incredibly fortunate to benefit from the spirit of volunteerism that characterise many of our young people during this crisis,” he noted.

According to Bayisenge, Kigali city alone is home to more than 40,700 volunteers, while as many as 380,600 young people serve as volunteers across the country.

Lessons learnt

"I have learnt how to have a positive attitude, especially when we are working with different people. People will not associate with you if you don’t have a positive attitude. I have also learnt that discipline is crucial in our daily lives but, most importantly, our efforts would be in vain if there was no teamwork,” Mugwaneza said.

"Our motivation is the passion to serve our country. We grew up seeing all the bad things our country went through, and the bad image that the youth helped to bring onto our country, but we are determined to help write a new chapter.”