Addyl Rusanganwa, Miss Kigali Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) has urged all former refugee students to wake up and show their support in the country’s programmes of unity and reconciliation and the fight against Genocide ideology.

Rusanganwa made this call Friday while meeting with about 30 students from Rusumo High School, Kirehe district at Hill Top hotel in Remera.

The students are all among those who were repatriated from Tanzania in January 2006 and are still living in camps in the districts of Kirehe, Ngoma and Kayonza.

Rusanganwa observed that most of the students "and their families” still consider themselves as refugees which she said has hindered their participation in the country’s programmes.

"It’s high time you considered yourselves as Rwandans in their home country,” she said. "The country needs your support dearly, most especially in the fight against Genocide ideology and taking part in developmental programmes.”

She urged them to study hard for a brighter future.
About 116 returnees’ students in Rusumo high school have so far dropped out of school since last year because of lack of school fees and other basic school necessities.

As part of her initiative, Rusanganwa said in a separate interview with The Sunday Times that KIST has started a campaign of Rwf100 per student every semester to support the vulnerable returnee students in Rusumo High School.

The funds will be used on basic educational necessities such as school fees, books and pens among others.

"If each student in KIST pays this money, we hope it will help them continue their studies and reduce on the rate of school dropouts,” Rusanganwa said. She called upon all Good Samaritans to render a hand in helping the students continue with their education.

Meanwhile, the students had earlier visited Gisozi memorial centre where they also laid a wreath.

It’s the first time these students have visited a memorial centre and told of how Genocide was planned and executed.

Ends