Arsenal fans in Rwanda under their umbrella group, Rwanda Arsenal Fans Community (RAFC), have pledged to keep supporting Genocide survivors and other vulnerable groups annually.

They revealed this after donating three modern fishing boats to survivors of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Karongi district. The boats and accessories are worth Rwf 4.5m.

During their visit to Karongi, RAFC also paid Health insurance (Mutuelle de Sante) for 300 families in the district.

Arsenal fans in Rwanda are taken through a tour of the Karongi Genocide Memorial. courtesy

The Genocide survivors are grouped together in a fishing cooperative in Gishyita sector, Karongi District.

The event was graced by the mayor of Karongi, Vestine Mukarutesi and Valentine Mukase, the vice mayor in charge of social affairs in  Karongi, Isaac Habarugira, the President of Ibuka in Karongi, heads of security organs and Vedaste Ngarambe, the vice president of the District Council who explained the history of the genocide against Tutsis in Gishyita sector.

The Mayor of Karongi district, Vestine Mukarutesi thanked RAFC for the kind gesture and promised to follow up and make sure that the beneficiaries reap big from the donation.

RAFC members lay flowers on victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

"These boats will improve the fishing in this district. We shall make sure that the boats are put to good use to improve the social-economic development of our people”

On their part, the beneficiaries expressed their appreciation and confirmed assurance of increase in their profits from fishing.

Arsenal fans

"We’ve been working but without advanced equipment to get enough output. With these new boats, we look forward to more profits from our fishing activities,” said Emmanuela Musabyirema, one of the beneficiaries.

After the handover of the fishing boats, the RAFC members socialized with the residents who had come in large numbers and were sensitized on ongoing government programs including the fight against genocide denial especially among young people.

Kevin Aaron Mwami, the chairman of Rwanda Arsenal Fans Community reiterated the importance of supporting survivors of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi.

"We have been doing this for ten years now and we shall continue doing this to support the uplifting of the social-economic status of our fellow citizens. Instead of buying someone fish, you would rather show them how to fish; that’s why we chose this initiative.”

24 families will benefit from the donation.

For the last 10 years, the Rwanda Arsenal Fans Community, an avid fan club of members from all around the country, has consistently conducted annual events and promoted domestic tourism, partnering in Government initiatives and most especially supporting vulnerable people across the country.

Over the years, the fan club that was founded in 2013 has contributed to the improvement of citizens' and its members and live by the adage "Be A Gooner, Be A Giver", as they promote and participate in socio-economic development programs, sports, governance, domestic tourism (Visit Rwanda) and culture promotion in and outside Rwanda.

Last year, RAFC connected 66 families to the electricity grid. The families who are survivors of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi live in Nyentanga Village, Kigeme Cell, Gasaka Sector in Nyamagabe District.

In 2020, Rwanda Arsenal Fan Club donated food and grants to 86 families who are also survivors of the Genocide against the Tutsi in Gasabo District in Jali Sector in an operation that cost 5 million Frw.

In 2019, RAFC donated a commercial greenhouse and mushroom seedlings to elderly survivors in Kinyinya sector, in 2018 they renovated 2 houses for widowed elderly survivors in Bugesera district. In 2017, the group gave Health insurance to over 200 families and renovated one house for a survivor in Gasabo district. In 2016, RAFC provided livestock (goats) for 25 families in Kayonza District and in 2015, they donated 200 livestock to genocide survivors in Nyanza District. 

The fan club has also built 2 houses for genocide widows in Ntarama Sector, Bugesera District, and contributed to the Agaciro Development Fund.