Kudos to the Agaciro contributors

Editor, It is heart-warming to learn that contributions towards the Agaciro Development Fund (AgDF) have surpassed Rwf17 billion, just three weeks after the Fund was officially inaugurated in Kigali.

Monday, September 17, 2012
An usher receives contribution for the Agaciro Development Fund from a resident of Kicukiro during a recent fundraising event. The New Times / Timothy Kisambira.

Editor,It is heart-warming to learn that contributions towards the Agaciro Development Fund (AgDF) have surpassed Rwf17 billion, just three weeks after the Fund was officially inaugurated in Kigali.As President Paul Kagame said at the launch, what’s more important is the gesture, the spirit to join hands as Rwandans to build a bright future for ourselves and offspring. Through the AgDF, it has become clear that Rwandans care about their country and are willing to do anything to deliver that dream – of a middle-income economy, and even more.I was also heartened by the fact that some members of the opposition have also come out to support the AgDF; the Fund has become a rallying point for almost all Rwandans no matter their political ideologies or financial statuses. I learn that the head of the yet-to-be registered Green Party, Frank Habineza, while addressing a news conference upon returning to the country last week, he praised the initiative and said he also contributed to the Fund.Members of the Cabinet were among the first people to make voluntary contributions – with a one-month salary each – and their example has certainly inspired many people, with employees, particularly, committing a month’s salary. Needless to say is the enthusiasm with which ordinary Rwandans have come up to support the initiative, with districts mobilising large amounts for this noble cause. Rwandans in the Diaspora, too, have started to contribute towards the future we are building today.From what I have observed over the last three weeks, the Agaciro Development Fund is an ideal tool that will eventually make us self-reliant economically. It is gratifying to learn that both the spirit to stop relying on foreign aid and the voluntary contributions have manifested through the AgDF. Long live Rwanda, long live the people of Rwanda.Jeanne d’Arc MuganwaKigali