Red Cross gives houses to 50 needy families

Rwanda Red Cross (RRC), on Friday officially handed over 50 houses to widows and orphans in Mutete Sector, Gicumbi district in the Northern Province.

Sunday, May 13, 2012
Some of the houses Rwanda Red Cross donated to widows and orphans in Gicumbi district. The Sunday Times / Susan Babijja.

Rwanda Red Cross (RRC), on Friday officially handed over 50 houses to widows and orphans in Mutete Sector, Gicumbi district in the Northern Province.The houses are a joint project of RRC and the Danish Red Cross."I was homeless but people were giving me shelter out of sympathy. Owning a house was far from my expectations.” said Chantal Muhayimana, one the beneficiaries.Other beneficiaries who spoke to The Sunday Times could also not hide their excitement."Paying rent has always been so difficult for me, but with this house, it means I only have to find means of getting food and other basic needs,” said Jeanne Uwamaria, 35.At the same event, RRC inaugurated a primary school it built in the Sector. The whole project cost Rwf 300 million.Speaking as the guest honor, the district Vice Mayor in Charge of Social Affairs, Therese Mujawamaria, appreciated RRC`s effort`s in improving lives in rural areas."Having a home is an address and this should be the starting point of positively changing your lives,” Mujawamaria told beneficiaries.She encouraged them to work hard and engage in income generating activities as well as supporting others.