The visiting Foreign Affairs Minister of Poland Radoslaw Sikorski has officially opened a school for visually impaired children funded by the Polish Government at Kibeho, Nyaruguru District in the Southern Province.

The Educational Institute for Blind Children which cost about US$1.3m is the biggest project under the Polish assistance programme on the continent and will be accommodating over 100 blind children below 15 at a time, at Primary education level.

Speaking at the ceremony shortly after jointly cutting the tape with Education Minister Charles Murigande, Sikorski referred to school as the beginning of long and fruitful bilateral relations between Rwanda and Poland.

"The centre we have opened today in Kibeho is the starting point of our relations with Rwanda. It is a gesture of solidarity and a mark of Poland’s engagement in Rwanda and Africa in general as well as a sign of our commitment to development in Africa.” the Polish official said.

Sikorski noted that Rwanda and Poland share much in common especially a history of genocide, the reason the European country is committed to supporting development efforts in the country especially in the education sector.

He commended the Mission of Polish Nuns known as the Polish Congregation of Franciscan Sisters Servants of the Cross — under whose auspices the school will be managed — for the great work done in the country and in Poland, especially in supporting the education of blind children as well as being ambassadors of culture.

Murigande hailed the Polish Government for supporting the education of children with special need, especially those with visual impairment, who have difficulties enrolling in other schools.

"This is a significant milestone in the education sector of the country. We thank the people and the government of Poland for this special gift which will significantly help us in the education of handicapped children with special needs education.” Murigande noted.

Ends