Rally drivers’ association to renovate survivors’ homes

UNITY Rally Team (URT), a Rwandan association of automobile sport, will renovate the houses of the orphans of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Ntarama Sector, Bugesera District, it has been confirmed.

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

UNITY Rally Team (URT), a Rwandan association of automobile sport, will renovate the houses of the orphans of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Ntarama Sector, Bugesera District, it has been confirmed.The 38 houses which were constructed five years ago are in poor condition, and most on the verge of collapsing.The association has earmarked Rwf4 million for the overhaul of the shelters but this will be done in three phases. Phases one and two will focus on the renovation of latrines, kitchen, while phase three will focus on the reconstruction of houses."When we visited these homes of Genocide orphans, we were concerned by the poor state in which these facilities are in, then we decided to look for funds to help renovate them,” Gilbert Rugomwa, the association’s Chairman told Times Sport on Sunday after visiting the orphan’s homes.Rugomwa stated that the initiative to refurbish the houses is part of their social corporate responsibility.He mentioned that the money they have allocated will not be enough when it comes to refurbishing all the 38 houses but noted that they are still mobilising for more funds from the association’s members and well wishers."So far the refurbishment work on latrines has started because they are the ones in most appalling condition. URT is committed to raising funds in order to make this possible,” he noted.According to John Paul Gatete, one of the survivors said that about two houses have crumbled and others are about to follow."We have been talking about the poor condition of our houses for a long time but no body came to our rescue. We thank URT for assisting us to renovate the houses,” he said.The association of automobile sport amateur is made up of 45 members.The orphans are survivors of the killings at the former Ntarama parish. Over 6,000 people were slaughtered after seeking refuge at the church-turned Genocide memorial site.