BURERA– It was joy and celebration in Cyanika Sector as nine couples belonging to historically marginalised families in Nyagahinga Cell, celebrated the first ever official marriage ceremony in the area.

The couples, many of whom aged between 30 and 40 years, could not read and  had to repeat the oath of matrimony after the officials read them.

The colourful ceremony spiced by local brew–Ikigage, beer and maize–attracted neighbouring counterparts from Kisoro, in Uganda, who came along with their guitars and drums to celebrate the historical occasion.

The sector Executive Secretary, Jean Marie Vianney Nkanika, who presided over the ceremony, thanked the couples for formalising their marriages.

The function was organised by the sector and supported by Enterprise, Equity, Environmental in Great Lakes-EEEGL, a programme under CARE International.

"It is a way of social integration of these people, teaching them about their rights, their responsibilities as well, in order to ensure that they develop,’’ Placid Shema, the Manager of EEEGL said. 

EEEGL, which enrolled the historically marginalised families in literacy programmes, dressed the couples, in traditional clothes (Ibitenge), and shoes for the big day.

According to Burera District vice Mayor, Joseph Zaraduhaye, all 250 historically marginalised families in the district now have decent housing and health insurance.

However, it was noted that out of 222 children sired by the historically marginalised families, only 96 attend school.

 "Endeavour to be faithful and work hard in order to avoid sinking deeper into poverty. Consider family planning as a priority and you should have mutual trust between each other,” Zaraduhaye urged the couples.

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