The Mumbai-based non-profit organisation, Rwanda Renaissance, is on track to launch the ‘One Dollar Campaign’ in India.

A media release issued yesterday by the organisation indicates that the campaign, expected to be officially launched over the weekend, will be marked with a series of programmes on the Genocide, that will be held in various parts of the commercial capital of India – Mumbai.

The ‘One Dollar Campaign’, a fundraising initiative aiming at building homes for Rwandan Genocide orphans, was officially launched in Kigali early this month but has quickly spread throughout the world spearheaded by the Rwandan Diaspora Global Network (RDGN).

Just about three weeks after its launch, officials in RDGN confirm that more than Rwf 50 million has been collected, in cash and pledges.

Rwanda Renaissance Chairman, Clarence Fernandes, said the idea to come into close contact with the Rwandan people came last year when they attended the first East African Investment Conference in Kigali.

"We were able to understand how much latent potential exists here,” he is quoted saying.

"The country has made enormous strides over the last fifteen years, but definitely there is scope for a lot more.”

Talking about the decision to join the rest of the world in finding solutions to shelter for the orphans’ through One Dollar Campaign, Fernandes disclosed that stories they hear from Rwanda played a critical role.

"We have been deeply touched, reading the regular testimonies of Genocide victims in The New Times and in keeping with the campaign in Rwanda and various other countries,” he explained, adding that while in Kigali, they had the opportunity of visiting the home of one Genocide survivor.

"That was truly a unique experience.”

He underscored that Rwanda Renaissance will attend the Construction and Real Estate Investment Roundtable scheduled for 19 and 20 May in Kigali and that during that visit the collected amount will be handed over to a suitable Foundation.

Rwanda Renaissance is a non-profit organization established to promote and develop social, cultural and economic relations between India and Rwanda.

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