KIGALI-Hope and healing will be the main theme of this year’s Kigali Festival of Hope according to event’s guest speaker, Andrew Palau.
 
Speaking at a press conference held at Sports View Hotel on Monday, Palau noted that this year’s festival will be aimed at bringing restoration for Rwandans while promoting shared development activities.

"The message calls out to Rwandans to form positive relationships amongst themselves and to work together for the good of the country and the people,” Palau added while explaining more on the festival slated for this weekend.

Palau revealed that the festival will also be the climax of the 100-day Season of Service (SOS) that preceded it.

"The festival marks celebration of the work that was done during SOS activities for the past a hundred days,” said Palau.

He added: "Kigali churches have been mobilizing their congregations to engage in activities similar to umuganda with an aim of challenging them to own development projects.”

This year’s festival will involve different events which are expected to be done concurrently.

"The activities will be carried out at different parts of the stadium. Internationally known action sports, athletes will demonstrate their skills to the youth while sharing the message of hope,” said Palau.

Other activities will include a music concert on the two-day event that has attracted local bands like Kigali Praise and Worship Choir and internationally recognised artists that include Nicole Mullen, Enric Sifa and Building 429.

Palau was flanked at the press conference by Kigali city vice Mayor in charge of social welfare, Jeanne d’Arc Gakuba.

Gakuba commended the collaboration among civic, business, and religious entities to initiative a season of service and in bringing positive entertainment to the people of Rwanda.

"The festival is a celebration of the new strong initiative that binds people from different churches for a common good; it’s a good start for civic and religious collaboration for the good of the country,” Gakuba said.

The vice Mayor noted that among other projects the SOS has achieved include the installation of water systems, provision of safe drinking water in schools, construction of houses for Genocide survivors, painting of zebra crossings and road repairs all through the city.

The event will be hosted by Hope Rwanda in conjunction with Louis Palau Association and Next Generation Alliance (NGA).

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