Gasabo District vice mayor in charge of Community Development, Andrew Bizimana, has urged Rwandans to have a spirit of volunteerism.

He was speaking on Wednesday during the International Volunteer Day celebrations at Kigali Business Center (KBC).

While addressing volunteers present, Bizimana said volunteering should be a culture in Rwanda. "Helping the needy through giving free services should be part of us as true Africans,” he said. "This will act as an effective tool towards our government’s vision2020 strategy.”

He gave examples of different local associations operating in Gasabo District that presented tremendous success in handcrafts. 

Volunteerism is a feature of all cultures and societies and is a fundamental source of community strength, solidarity and social cohesion, he added. He charged that it can help effect positive social change by fostering inclusive societies that respect diversity, equality and the full participation.

The function attracted many different volunteer groups operating in the country.

They included the Global Trustees for Unity and Peace Volunteers (GTUPV) Rwanda, Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
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