The Minister President of Rhineland-Palatinate, Malu Dreyer who is in Rwanda on a working visit, has paid tribute to Nyange Heroes who are laid to rest at Nyange Secondary School in Ngororero District.

She said that their story offers a humanity lesson of knowing how to stand together.

The school is renowned for its students who were in 1997 attacked by extremist assailants but refused to separate along ethnic lines, leading to the death of several among them.

The students have been designated as heroes by the Chancellery for Heroes, National Orders and Decorations of Honour (CHENO).

Dreyer’s visit to Rwanda was partly to celebrate 40 years of friendship between Rwanda and the German region, a partnership that touches different sectors.

The construction of classrooms and exhibition of the history of heroes of Nyange school is one of the projects funded by the Germans as a result of Rwanda-Rhineland-Palatinate partnership.

Learn to stand together

Speaking to The New Times, Dreyer said that, "from the history of the heroes at Nyange school today we learn to stand together, whatever the situation, there is power in standing together,” she said.

Speaking at the event, the Minister of Local Government, Jean Marie Vianney Gatabazi said that the delegation from Rhineland-Palatinate was in the country as part of a friendship spanning four decades.

Gatabazi said that the Germans are also planning to invest in TVET through the Ministry of Education, among other areas of cooperation.

"They advised us to grow grapes since they specialise in manufacturing wine, they will help with the skills and market for wine,” he said.