RWAMAGANA - First Lady Jeannette Kagame, yesterday, graced Umuganura Day at Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village in Rwamagana district. 

Umuganura is a Rwandan traditional harvest celebration – the time to praise people’s efforts, recognize their achievements, and make new performance targets for the future. 

Mrs. Kagame told the students, teachers and parents that the school and community center in general have reason to smile and celebrate the success they have achieved so far.
She said the success at Agahozo Shalom village speaks volumes and cuts across various sectors - education, agriculture and sports.

The First Lady went on to remind the youth that the country’s future greatly relies on them.

"The fact that you gave critical thinking a place in your daily life is promising. I am also happy that 60% of the youth here are girls…it shows how much you care for the unprivileged,” Mrs. Kagame said.

"The bad history of our country affected you at a tender age. It is, however, great to note that you never despaired but worked hard with unimaginable resilience to be what you are today.”

The Minister of Culture and Sports, Joseph Habineza, commended the school for their high standards and for successfully integrating cultural values among its students.
"This is a model school which others (schools) should learn from,” he noted. Zilpa Uwineza, 18, an S.4 student at the school said that the government of Rwanda did a great job of creating a conducive learning environment for vulnerable children.

"We are united in friendly families here at Agahozo. We are cared for and loved by our teachers and fellow students,” Uwineza said.

Agahozo Shalom is a residential, educational community, which is home to youth orphaned during and after the 1994 Rwandan genocide.

This community was deliberately created amidst a breathtaking view of the hills and lake, with the aim of bringing about peace, inspiration, and to reinforce their motto ‘If you see far, you go far’. 

The Cultural Day,that is cerebrated annually was attended by various government officials, including the Minister of Education Charles Muligande, Minister of Sports and Culture Joseph Habineza, Minister of Youth Protais Mitali and the Governor of Eastern Province Dr. Ephraim Kabaija.

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