The Country Manager of Serena Hotels in Rwanda, Mugo W. Maringa, has called upon the corporate society to join efforts towards supporting orphans and survivors of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

Maringa made the call Thursday at a ceremony that was held at Abahumurizanya Orphanage Association in Kimironko where clothes and foodstuffs worth Rwf 800,000 were donated to children orphaned by the genocide.

"Since 2007, we have been cooperating with this association because we believe that these children must be living under difficult conditions considering that they are in child-headed homes,” he said.

"We know that they have many needs that they are struggling to achieve, and that is why we decided to give these donations. We also offer training to those who meet the minimum education qualifications to be able to work in a five-star hotel”.

According to statistics, there are 316 orphans distributed in 102 child-headed homes under the association.

Maringa noted that enabling these orphans to acquire such skills, is a long-term assistance that enables them to contribute to the improvement of other orphans’ livelihoods rather than regular donations that are offered during the commemoration period.

"After training, some have since acquired jobs with us as opportunities arose while others use their skills to get jobs at other hospitality companies. We believe this is better than regular donations because when someone has skills, then they can do more in life and help those left behind”.

Maringa urged all corporate companies to identify associations like these to offer them sustainable assistance adding that this way, the impact will be fully felt and people’s lives will change.

"We intend to concentrate on this association and do the best that we can rather than jump to many associations and create no impact.

Twenty-eight year old Olivier Mugabowintwari, the chairperson of the association, expressed gratitude for the donations affirming that Serena Hotels has significantly supported the children for the past three years.

Officials noted that seven children from this association are employees of the hotel while over 15 have acquired hospitality skills.

The team of 60 employees from Serena later visited the Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre at Gisozi where they donated Rwf 500,000 and laid a wreath in honour of the victims of the Genocide.

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