The Kigali Serena Hotel donated eight cows to survivors of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi in Mageragere sector, Nyarugenge district on June 29, in a bid to offer them comfort during this time of commemoration.

According to the hotel’s management, this is an annual social responsibility that the hotel holds as Rwanda commemorates the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi, a period that spans for 100 days.

For this year’s event, Serena Hotel chose to mourn with survivors in Mageragera, which is said to have had over 7000 Tutsi but only 100 of them managed to survive.

The General Manager of Kigali Serena Hotel, Daniel Sambai, explained that the gesture is part of their responsibilities to support survivors especially during these difficult times.

"We thought about donating cows to support the Gira Inka program,” like the saying goes, if you give a man a fish, you feed him for a day. If you teach a man to fish, you feed him for a lifetime,” he said

He added that, by donating a cow, you are helping someone to become a farmer and get milk. When the cow produces offspring, they are passed to other families that it ends up creating a long chain. That is why we wanted to provide this kind of support that lasts long. 

Erick Mugesera, the Human Resources Manager at Kigali Serena Hotel, explained that they organise charitable activities every year to build hope to Genocide survivors.

"This gesture conveys a message to Genocide survivors that they are not alone. We are together in good and difficult times. It also leaves a message to propagandists denying and trivialising Genocide against Tutsi. We are showing them that there is hope for a better future and call upon the global community to stand against such destructive mind-sets,” he said.

 Marceline Nayigiziki, a Genocide survivor and one of the beneficiaries from Mataba village, thanked donors and promised to take good care of the cow she received.

"I would like to express my gratitude to Kigali Serena Hotel for giving us cows, because a cow is a symbol of love and prosperity. I am very happy for the donation and promise to take good care of it,” she said.

She added that the donation will make it easy for her to get manure for fertilisation of her crops, and milk for her neighbours.

Epiphania Mukarusine, a survivor and beneficiary, said that she is very excited about this kind gesture, "usually I do household farming, with this cow, I will be able to get manure and milk to drink.

The representative of Ibuka in Mageragere sector, Jeanne Mujawindera, explained that beneficiaries will enjoy transformed livelihoods and get milk easily.

"I thank Serena Hotel on behalf of Genocide survivors in our sector. As Genocide survivors, we also pledge to continue walking with Rwandans along the resilience journey and consolidate gains,” she said.

She added that good governance has been our hope, the government has been doing a lot for us, and to us, that’s our hope and for life to be meaningful.

The Executive Secretary of Nyarugenge district, Emmy Ngabonziza, also applauded Kigali Serena Hotel for supporting development initiatives and requested beneficiaries to keep these cows suitably so that they can be passed to fellows.

"You have been with us all the time. I would like to assure you that Genocide survivors will take care of received cows, make profitable businesses and pass heifers to colleagues,” he said.

He added that, "as we celebrate the Liberation day, we celebrate achievements for the past 28 years and appreciate all the stakeholders, Serena hotel included, which work hand in hand with the government.”

Speaking at the event the General Manager of Kigali Serena Hotel, Daniel Sambai said the donation will make it easy for her to get manure for fertilisation of her crops, and milk for her neighbours.

Beneficiaries of the donation and Kigali Serena Hotel Management during a traditional exercise to welcome the new cows "Gucanira inka"

Donors and beneficiaries pose for a group photo after the handover in Mageragere.

According to Erick Mugesera, the Human Resources Manager at Kigali Serena Hotel giving eights cows to the survivors conveys a message to them that they are not alone.