The number of orphans and vulnerable children under the Red Cross Rwanda project, Orphans and other Vulnerable Children (OVC), has reached 6000 since the progamme was launched in 2002.

The development was revealed by Red Cross Rwanda’s Head of Technical Support Department, Marie Antoinette Uwimana, during the opening of the annual OVC Camp, which brings together beneficiaries of the project at Red Cross-Rwanda Headquarters in Kacyiru.

The programme is currently operational in the districts of Bugesera, Gisagara, Nyanza, Huye, Nyamagabe, and Nyaruguru.
 
"We are supporting 6,000 children in the eight districts from different provinces where the project has been implemented,” Uwimana said.

She explained that the beneficiaries range from primary pupils to students in higher levels of learning.

"We support primary children with scholastic materials, while others in other higher levels of education get school fees and other related costs,” she said.

The OVC camp that started yesterday will last for four days and children from different districts will interact and listen to lectures on different social issues.

According to Uwimana, 200 children have attended this year’s camp and they will be sensitized on issues including children’s rights, unity and reconciliation, dangers and effects of HIV/ Aids.

"This will make the children aware of their value and capability in society in contributing to this country’s development,” she said.

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