SERENA HOTEL -For the first time ever, Rwandan women have been awarded for their outstanding achievements in different fields, thanks to Imbuto Foundation which was launched this week by the First Lady’s Office.

President Paul Kagame and the First Lady Jeannette Kagame officiated at the event held on Wednesday at Kigali Serena Hotel.

Seven Rwandan women achievers, aged between 18 and 35 years, were selected from a list of 300 nominees.
The first award went to Duhirwe Rushemeza, a US-based artist who has gained world renown.

Among the people who have purchased her work include a well known Hollywood actor, and the US and Rwandan governments will soon display her art pieces in their embassies.

Rushemeza creates and administers art related workshops for kids through the Rush Philanthropic Foundation and The Studio Museum of Harlem in New York, US.

Others are Annick Kayitesi, the author of the book ‘Nous existons encore’, Stephanie Nyombaire, a student at Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania, US, and Mary Mukunzi Nyabutono, a successful entrepreneur in Nyagatare, Eastern Province.

Also awarded were Pauline Mutumwinka, an 18-year-old girl who always topped her class, and Ngendo Diane Karusisi, the head of the Rwandan youth community in Switzerland.

The other young women achiever is Ines Mpambara, the director of communication in the Ministry of Health received an award for her intelligence, consciousness, creativity and for always seeking solutions.

President Kagame called on Rwandans to work for their own good as well as their country without seeking to please anybody else.

He said that it should not surprise anybody to see Rwanda taking the right path to development because that is what it is ultimately expected to do.

"Some people come and appreciate that Kigali city is beautiful, yes that is true but how did they expect it to look like? Why should it surprise anybody that Rwanda is making progress? he asked.

He   reiterated the government’s commitment to support many more young women and added that by realising their dreams the country would be making a positive step in development.

The First Lady said: "I believe that the success stories of young Rwandan women, who are first-rate among their peers and in their respective professions, need to be highlighted.”

"(There are) many of our girls and young women who are doing exceptional things here in Rwanda and beyond, but few of us get to hear of their successes,” she added.

"By this programme, we hope to appropriately recognize the outstanding efforts of young Rwandan women living in Rwanda and abroad, and establish a platform for mentoring and creating role models,” the First Lady said.

"Imbuto Foundation has been created to carry forward and build on the work of PACFA, which over the last six years has advocated consistently for and implemented initiatives on health, education and economic empowerment,’ a statement from the First Lady’s Office said.
 
Ends