Gasabo - Miss Kigali, Cynthia Akazuba in collaboration with Kigali City Council on Friday attended a function to hand certificates to Humura teachers, in Ndera.

Eight teachers were awarded certificates after a 15-hour training course called: "Introduction to Non-violent Communication”, organised by Shalom Educating for Peace (SEP).

SEP is a non-profit organization working for building and sustaining positive peace through education.

The Director of Humura, Honoree Mukangarambe said the centre is directed towards socialising the children and advising parents and caretakers for the education of their disabled children.

Humura is a day care centre for children and youngsters with mental impairments. It was founded by the Brothers of Charity in 1997, and started operating in 2003 with 25 children, but the number has increased to 61.

Mukangarambe said the project consists of pedagogical activities in a day care centre, home-guidance and training meetings for parents.
She further highlighted five education groups at the centre: "development stimulation” for children with multiple disabilities; "autonomy” for children with a serious mental impairment;  "exploration” for children with a moderate mental impairment; "housekeeping” for young girls, and "gardening” for grown-up youngsters with a moderate or light mental impairment.

Akazuba congratulated teachers for the successful course, and encouraged them to practice the obtained skills to benefit the centre.

"Thanks to Shalom for training Humura teachers, and for the great efforts to fight against abuses to children with mental disabilities,” said Akazuba.

"These children are human beings, thus their fundamental rights should be respected.”

The 19-year-old Miss Kigali, and student at Lycee de Kigali is participating in different charity functions in an attempt to achieve her goal of advocating children’s rights.

Flanked by the Executive of Shalom Educating for Peace, Jean de Dieu Basabose encouraged participates to be ambassadors in the fight against violent communication and harm done to children born with disabilities. 

Mukangarambe, 43, said that it’s unfortunate that children with a mental impairment are an almost unknown group in the society even if their number is probably high.

"Some of these children are treated more of animals than human beings. They are being hidden, or even killed because they’re considered an embarrassment to the family.”

Humura staff presented a play, portraying how children with mental impairment are being abused by their parents, neighbours and teachers at school. It was very emotional and left attendants in tears.

On African Child Day, Kigali City Council donated a cheque of Rfw300, 000 to Humura Centre.

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