KAYONZA - TIGO, a mobile telecommunication company operating in Rwanda, over the weekend joined pupils of Rwisirabo Primary School in Kageyo sector, in a tree planting exercise.

The telecom’s staff, together with members of the environmental protection club at the school, planted several trees around the school in an effort of protecting the environment.

The team leader of TIGO said that it is the principle of the company to protect the environment, particularly in places where it operates.

Gedeon Rudashirikaka, described the presence of TIGO staff as a big morale booster to the pupils, helping them see the cause in a wider perspective.

"These children are the future of Rwanda, protection of the environment is primarily in their interest. What we do as teachers is to create awareness and ensuring a hands-on experience to the pupils at an early age,” Rudashirikaka said.

Eldephonse Habimana (P.5), the Chairman of the club, said that it is astonishing to see how pupils of the school have developed environmental awareness.

He said that the pupils have been planting trees and actually sensitizing their parents to protect the environment.

"I sometimes don’t believe it is me doing the environment protection…I used not to care about trees or animals. Today, I feel so bad when I see people cutting down trees or killing stray animals from the park,” he said.

The pupil’s club is partly supported by an international environmental protection organisation known as REASON.

The same club planted sisal on the borders of the Akagera National Park and the village, ostensibly to protect the population from animals, officials revealed.

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