Rotarians reach out to vulnerable children

Members of the Rotary Club Kigali Doyen, Thursday visited 120 children members of Light for Children association in Gashyekero Gikondo Sector, bearing Christmas gifts. The gifts were composed of scholastic materials, clothes and foodstuffs

Saturday, December 24, 2011
Rodolphe Kembukunswa of Rotary Club Kigali Doyen distributing gifts to the children. The New Times /Courtesy.

Members of the Rotary Club Kigali Doyen, Thursday visited 120 children members of Light for Children association in Gashyekero Gikondo Sector, bearing Christmas gifts.

The gifts were composed of scholastic materials, clothes and foodstuffs

Children in the association range from 3 to 7 years and are infected with HIV/Aids, others are orphans while the rest come from vulnerable families.

According to the regional representative of Rotary Club, Rodolphe Kembukunswa, Christmas being the time of giving, the less fortunate should be remembered.

"Well-wishers should think about reaching out to vulnerable families during the festive seasons because they need that helping hand,” Kembukunswa said

He said their club plans to build schools in the area since in Gashyekero there is only one school, which is also ran by the Rotarians.

"We are planning to fence the school to protect children, and in 2013, we should be having a primary school,” Kembukunswa added

Emmanuel Nyiringabo the committee president of Light for Children, welcomed the donation and called for other well wishers to follow the steps taken to help vulnerable children.

Jackline Uzamukunda is one of the parents with children under the association.

"I couldn’t afford school fees for my child, but when they were selecting vulnerable families, I was picked and my child is now going to school without any problem,” Uzamukunda said.

Light for Children was founded in 2008 by Rotarian Frank Baughman and Rotary club Kigali Doyen after observing that some vulnerable families in Gikondo could not access education.

pelagie.mbabazi@newtimes.co.rw