The Minister of Gender and Family Promotion, Dr Jeanne d’Arc Mujawamariya, has called upon former street children in Kigali to make use of the efforts by the ministry to help improve their social welfare in the country.

Mujawamariya made the call yesterday while presiding over the launch of a two-week solidarity camp of 121 former street children that is underway at the Red Cross premises in Kacyiru.

"As children who were once on Kigali streets, I encourage you to always closely work with the ministry and other concerned institutions because this is when you will be able to improve your living standards,” Mujawamariaya said.

She urged them to mobilize and sensitize their fellow children who are still on the streets to leave this harsh life and go back to their homes, for those who still have them.

She also encouraged them to desist from drug abuse and strive for excelling in academics so that they become responsible leaders and citizens in the future. The Minister told them that all children in the country have equal rights.

During an interview, Solange Kananga Umurisa, who heads the street children unit in the ministry, said that the camp will cover civic education, gender equality, Unity and Reconciliation and reproductive health as well as fighting against the Genocide ideology.

She added that children in the camp range between 6 to 18 years of age.

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