The Diaspora General Directorate at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Minaffet) and members of the Rwandan Diaspora are ready to launch the "One Dollar Campaign” programme this Saturday.

This was revealed Wednesday by the Director General of the Directorate, Robert Masozera, shortly after a preparatory meeting at Minaffet headquarters.

The money to be collected in the exercise will be used to cater for the vulnerable orphans of the Genocide by providing them with shelter.

"This was a usual preparatory meeting that we conduct on Wednesdays to look at the progress of preparations to see what is missing…everything is now okay – everything is in place and I am really satisfied,” Masozera told The New Times in his offices.

Due to be launched at Kigali Serena Hotel in the afternoon, the event will coincide with the international symposium on the Genocide against Tutsis, a two-day event scheduled to kick today.

Attending the meeting were several members of the Diaspora already in the country and, local participants. Local artiste Eric Senderi’s song, Imfubyi zirababaye (orphans are grieving), was chosen to be sung at the occasion.

"I normally sing about the Genocide committed against Tutsis alongside my other compositions. My song was chosen from many and it is about the life of orphans of the Genocide. It gives a picture of how these orphans live today, how they need help,” Senderi noted in a brief exclusive interview.

"Whoever can contribute at least one dollar, whether he or she is a Rwandan or friend of Rwanda, it could help them live better lives.”

After the initiation of a Diaspora Mutual Fund last January, efforts were directed to the success of the "One Dollar Campaign” ahead of the approaching 15th Genocide Commemoration that starts April 7.

The Campaign idea was mooted during the Diaspora conference last December that aimed at mobilizing the Diaspora to contribute and pool Rwf 1.5 billion for a hostel project to provide shelter, especially to young Genocide survivors in schools and universities.

"We are going to open ‘One Dollar Campaign’ accounts abroad and there is one already open in the country…these sub-accounts will be opened abroad, everywhere where we have embassies or where there are large Diaspora communities,” Masozera underscored.

Accounts have been opened in Belgium, Japan, Ethiopia, Sweden, Canada, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and other countries.

Masozera noted that the idea initially involved the Diaspora but many other Rwandans in the country have also showed interest in the project.

An account – the Agaseke Diaspora One Dollar Campaign, has been open in Banque de Kigali (BK) with three separate numbers for Rwandan francs, US dollars and Euros.

During the fundraising event, messages from Diaspora communities world-wide will also be broadcast live via webcam, telephone and other means.

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