WESTERN PROVINCE

NYAMASHEKE — The Rwanda Office of Tourism and National Parks (ORTPN) last week donated Frw40 millions to the victims of the recent earthquake that hit Rusizi and Nyamasheke districts.

Handing over the cheques, at Apeka Secondary School in Kagano sector, Nyamasheke district, the Director General of ORTPN, Rosette Chantal Rugamba said that her organization felt the plight of those affected by the tragedy and the donation was aimed at improving their social welfare.

Nyamasheke Mayor, Vincent Muragwa and Rusizi vice Mayor in charge of social affairs, Esperance Umutoni received the donation on behalf of the victims.

"As the Director General of ORTPN and our entire management felt sorry for what occurred in these two districts. That is why we decided to donate Frw40 millions to you in order to help those who were affected by this unspeakable incident," Rugamba said, adding that helping our fellow compatriots was part of their responsibilities.

Rugamba urged residents of the two districts to always help each other at all times.

Commenting on tourism, Rugamba urged residents to always maintain national parks, tourist attraction sites, and to conserve the environment in order to maintain the inflow of foreign exchange.

Out of the donation, Nyamasheke district was given Frw30millions which would be used to renovate Apeka Secondary School, which was destroyed by the earthquake, while Frw10millions was given to Rusizi towards the renovation of Rususa Secondary School also devastated by the February quake.

Later, the ORTPN delegation visited various areas that were severely damaged by the earthquake. They also visited different tourist attraction sites in Nyamasheke district.

Rugamba noted that ORTPN would continue support to the two districts in various ways. Mayor Murangwa thanked ORTPN for their donation and promised that the money would be used effectively and efficiently to address the problem of school structures.

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