EASTERN PROVINCE

NGOMA — About Frw745, 700 was last week raised in cash and pledges during a fundraising drive in Zaza Sector, towards the building of houses for the vulnerable Genocide survivors.

About fifteen houses equivalent to the number of beneficiaries, which have reached the roofing level would be completed.

In a concerted move to resettle Genocide survivors, some residents contributed 565kg of beans and 1,422kg of maize which were auctioned to raise part of the money.

The function held at Zaza Training Teachers College (TTC) attracted Church leaders, district officials, members of cooperative societies and the local residents among others.

John Sula Bahirwa, the sector executive secretary thanked all who contributed towards the cause, which has reportedly been a challenge to the sector.

He was optimistic they would beat the deadline [before end of this month] for settling the vulnerable Genocide survivors, given by the Local Government minister Protais Musoni.

"This is something above my understanding. Few as we are to raise such amount it is something we should be proud of," Bahirwa said.

He added: "We should always remember that such people (vulnerable Genocide survivors) are also human beings like us who need our help because they can not help themselves."

He however, called upon the beneficiaries to take good care of the houses once given to them.

"These houses need to be handled in a way that they can last longer. We shall hand them over when they are complete, we expect you (beneficiaries) to maintain them in good state for many years to come because no body will be following up to renovate them for you."

He further called upon the beneficiaries to offer their input towards the exercise.

In a separate interview with The New Times, Bahirwa said that he expected to raise approximately Frw1million from pledges.

"Frw1 million would be enough to finish these houses which I think will be completed before the end of this month," Bahirwa said.

Ngoma district has close to 200 vulnerable people most of them Genocide survivors. Others including orphans and elderly have no shelter and can not afford basic needs.

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