WESTERN PROVINCE

NYABIHU / KARONGI — The Imbuto Foundation over the week rewarded another group of female students who excelled in last year’s national exams from the Western Province.

At a ceremony held at Groupe Scolaire de Lambura in Nyabihu District, on Sunday, 26 the best performing students from the districts of Nyabihu and Rubavu received various prizes  that included scholastic materials, laptops and cash awards at Rwf.20,000 each.

MP Valerie Nyirahabineza, from East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) who represented the First Lady Jeannette Kagame at the function hailed the Imbuto Foundation for instituting the  award program which she said have boosted academic performance especially among female students.

"Success does not come accidentally. It is always sought for. We should all work hard to promote girl’s education and this should be a continuous commitment by the government, teachers, parents and girl-child. We need to  support the girl-child to acquire education in order to make them key players in this country’s development,” she said.

Jeanine Mukandayisenga, one of the parents at the function, described the awarding ceremony as an inspiration to other female students.

She advised Rwandan parents to fight against Gender-based violence and desist from marrying off girls at a tender age.

Meanwhile, 14 best performing female students who excelled in last year’s Primary Leaving Examinations were on Saturday rewarded similar prizes in Karongi District.

In the same event  seven girls  from Rutsiro District and a further six from Ngororero District were rewarded.

A student at Ordinary Level (Tronc-comun), Donatha Mutuyimana, from Ngororero district was also rewarded.

Speaking at the ceremony that took place at Gatwaro Stadium, the Minister of state in the Ministry of Local Government, Christine Nyatanyi, thanked the students for their exemplary  performance, saying it was a positive response to the government’s call for hard work.

"You have showed us that you can transform this country into a centre of knowledge and wealth. There is a great form of support from the government to help girls compete with boys through equal education opportunities,” she said, stressing the need for unity and high ambitions among students.

"You have made some form of tremendous  achievement but we encourage you to work harder,” she said, adding that girls should further exploit avenues offered within  the science field.

"Girls should overcome fear and as such they should struggle to be innovative by venturing into sciences as well. If you achieve this, you will drive poverty out of your families and the whole country as well,” Nyatanyi added.

Celestin Kabahizi, the provincial governor thanked the First Lady for being on the forefront in promoting girl-child education.

"We thank the First Lady for her positive attitude towards lifting up the  education standards of the girl-child. She has even worked hard to be a shining path to the others,” he said.

The award ceremony was also combined with a similar one  of  rewarding  Malayika Murinzi (Guardian Angels) who have extended parental care to Genocide orphans.

Domina Mukakabera and Monica Mukandori, both from Karongi District received two cows for adopting and caring for Genocide orphans.

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