KARONGI - 21 Congolese refugee couples living at Kiziba refugee camp, Karongi District, used the World Refugee Day that was marked on Sunday to exchange marriage vows.

Chanting songs and praise, the refugees practically showed that though they were deprived of their homes; they still have hope for their future.

Presiding over the function, the Executive Secretary Rwankuba Sector, Théophile Safari, urged the couples to remain faithful.

"Endeavor to be faithful and hard working in order to avoid poverty. Consider family planning as a priority and you should have mutual trust between each other,” Safari told the couples amid applause.

He urged the refugees to educate their children, saying that this is the only foundation to guarantee a brighter future.

Claude Ishimwe, one of the newly married, expressed gratitude to the local residents for helping them in trying moments.

"I thank Rwandans for their generous hearts by allowing us to live in harmony for all these years as refugees,” he said.

Kiziba Refugee camp has been in existence for over 14 years and is home to close to 19,000 Congolese refugees.

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