It must be with unmitigated embarrassment to all right-minded Rwandans when they learn that at least 70 percent of the pledges made to the One Dollar Campaign haven’t yet been honored. 

This issue, which was raised by the Director General of the Rwanda Diaspora Directorate, Robert Masozera, in yesterday’s edition of The New Times, is extremely unfortunate.

This inaction sends a bad message to the orphans, who this money is supposed to help provide shelter for, and the larger global community.

The President has repeatedly called on Rwandans to heed the gospel of self-reliance and this One Dollar Campaign was an opportunity to show that we, Rwandans, could adhere to this oft-repeated message and not wait for foreign aid to bail out our own citizens.

However, this opportunity to show the kind of patriotism for our country, that is necessary for our development, is being put under a spotlight.

Many a time people have pledged at wedding fundraisings fully aware that they will not fulfill their pledges. While this might seem to be a minor issue, it appears, the disease could be bigger than we imagine.

It is sad that, to date, only 30 percent of those that pledged to support the One Dollar Campaign have actually walked the walk and talked the talk.

Rwanda will never be able to reach its lofty development goals if we carry the "I don’t care” attitude.

At the moment, all is not lost. We must change heart and fulfill our pledges. We should not lose this opportunity to show that we care for our own people and do not have to wait for foreigners to do so.

This campaign is about housing our brothers and sisters who don’t have roofs over their heads and giving them an opportunity that many of us are enjoying. We must make its success our full responsibility.
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Erratum for editorial

In the editorial of Thursday July 30, 2009, it was published that Rwanda’s education sector is shifting from English to French instead of Rwanda education sector is shifting emphasis from French to English. We apologize any inconveniences caused.