Orphans visit Nyamata genocide memorial site

EASTERN PROVINCE BUGESERA — About 105 members of Amahoro Association last week visited Nyamata Genocide memorial site in Bugesera district. They donated Frw40,000 to the site.

Sunday, April 13, 2008

EASTERN PROVINCE

BUGESERA — About 105 members of Amahoro Association last week visited Nyamata Genocide memorial site in Bugesera district. They donated Frw40,000 to the site.

Amahoro Association is an association of Genocide orphans in Gasabo district, Kigali City who lost their parents to HIV/AIDS. It has registered about 710 orphans. At least 122 children are enrolled in secondary schools while 588 are still in primary school.

Eugene Emile Ndayambaje, the association’s official in charge of social affairs and education, said the visit was aimed at getting a true picture of what happened in the area during 1994 Genocide.

"Our aim was to show these children what happened during 1994. We want to teach these young people the effects of genocide ideologies," he said.

He explained that the visit was vital since most of their members lost their parents at a tender age.

"Our members are in two categories. Children who lost their parents during 1994 genocide, and those ones whose parents were raped and affected with HIV/AIDS during the same period," Ndayambaje added.

He noted that visiting the site would also help them to stem genocide ideologies in the country.

He continued that the association with support from CHABHA (Children Affected by HIV/AIDS) helps pay the children’s school fees, health insurance (Mutuelle de sante) and equipping them with technical skills.

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