Kayonza students give widows a helping hand

KAYONZA – Over 100 students sponsored by Partners in Health (PIH) have started a campaign to renovate widows’ houses in the village of Kinihira of Rwinkwavu Sector, Kayonza District.

Friday, August 24, 2012
Youth involved in building for the widows. The New Times/S. Rwembeho.

KAYONZA – Over 100 students sponsored by Partners in Health (PIH) have started a campaign to renovate widows’ houses in the village of Kinihira of Rwinkwavu Sector, Kayonza District.PIH sponsors over 500 students in the districts of Kayonza, Kirehe and Burera.The bursary beneficiaries were selected by local leaders, and comprise mainly children whose families were affected by the Aids scourge. According to Victor Nkurikiyinka, PIH’s social activities coordinator, the students activities is part of PIH cooperate responsibility.He noted that the students were also involved in other social economic activities."By advising the students to assist the widows in renovating houses, we indirectly wake them to what the society expects from them”."We shouldn’t also forget that idleness is the devil’s workshop…so, these young people won’t get time to smoke marijuana, drink illicit alcohol that expose them to infections like HIV,” he said.Jean Bosco Murembe, the students’ leader, told The New Times that they were committed to renovate as many houses as they can before schools re-open. "Most of us were living in a state of hopelessness until PIH and thegovernment helped us to study. We thus feel duty bound to reward the society by supporting the needy. We don’t have the money, and until we get it, we shall be using our brains and physical power to build our nation,” he said.Asina Uwimana, one of the widows whose houses was renovated by the students, said she was humbled by the youth’s support."I can’t understand what pushed these young boys and girls to help me…it is surprising that even girls are involved in construction work. It makes me keep hope as a widow,” he said.