BUGESERA - Rwanda Red Cross (RRC), yesterday, handed over 25 houses to some of the most vulnerable residents of Nyamata Sector in Bugesera district.

The houses that cost Rwf 3.4 million each have three bedrooms, a sitting room with a kitchen and toilet.

"We have been experiencing terrible conditions especially during the rainy seasons, which mostly affected our children,” said Esperance Nyirabambogo, one of the beneficiaries.

With a smile on her face, the mother of four said, "I am extremely happy that I cannot even explain how I feel”.

RRC president, Dr. Bernard Nzigiye, said the move was to promote and improve the lives of rural communities in line with the government programme of eradicating thatched houses commonly known as ‘Nyakatsi.’

At the same event 52 youth who completed one-year training in tailoring under the sponsorship of RRC were awarded certificates along with 37 sewing machines for them to start a cooperative.

"As we give them houses, it’s equally important they gain skills to work and earn,” Nzigiye said.

Bugesera District Mayor, Louis Rwagaju, promised that authorities would work with beneficiaries and the communities to ensure the houses remain in good condition.

In a related development RRC opened a centre that will coordinate its activities in the district. It also connected safe water to Ntarama estate for orphans of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

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