RULINDO - The Institute of Research and Dialogue for Peace (IRDP), last week, donated 15 Friesian cows to the residents of Kisaro Sector in Rulindo District.

The donation was part of IRDP’s campaign to foster economic development in Dialogue Clubs across the country and a contribution to the cattle stocking programme dubbed Girinka.

The off-springs of the cows will be offered to needy residents in the sector.

Each Dialogue group is made up of ordinary men and women who lost members of their families in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, as well as those whose family members are accused of committing genocide crimes.

Most participants are subsistence farmers, but each group also includes teachers, merchants, and local administrators.

According to the organiation, such clubs help in the reconciliation process .

Speaking at the event, Rulindo vice mayor, Prosper Mulindwa, urged residents to create more clubs in other sectors of the district for the programme to benefit other needy residents.

The Northern Province Governor, Aime Bosenibamwe, who was the chief guest, called on residents to initiate development projects that would make a change in their communities.

"So far, this is very good development you have attained but keep on building peace and togetherness as you strive to make a better country,” the Governor noted.

One of the beneficiaries, Specioza Mukamuriza said: "Through this group, we have improved our lives and relationships have been strengthened.”

Mukamuriza said that as a result of group discussions, members have invested in high-quality cattle breeds and goats or worked together to cultivate crops under land consolidation.

According to the IRDP coordinator, Cecile Mukantagazwa, the Dialogue clubs have also established bonds among club members enabling social and political discussions, such as overpopulation.

"These clubs meet several times a month to discuss how to create a future for communities torn apart by the genocide in an effort of restore hope,” she said in an interview.

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