Editor,

was delighted to read, in yesterday’s issue of The New Times, "A letter to the Girls of Rwanda” written by Mrs. Jeannette Kagame, the First Lady of Rwanda.It is a fact that the girls of Rwanda are a glowing example to the world and I take this opportunity to wish them the very best, around the time when the whole world celebrate "International Day of the Girl Child”.The tremendous work being done by the Imbuto Foundation and other similar organisations in Rwanda needs to be applauded. The strong emphasis laid on women, by the Government of Rwanda is, indeed commendable. This has enabled each girl of Rwanda to blossom into a "woman of strength.”Recently, four young girls of Rwanda, Janet, Joyeuse, Alida and Irene, led by Chacy Umuhoza, General Secretary of the Rwanda Students Association of Karnataka, performed with utmost grace and perfection, at the Indian Merchants’ Chamber in Mumbai to celebrate World Tourism Day.It is through such events that these young ladies showcase Rwanda’s rich social and cultural heritage. Next month, we have invited two outstanding student nurses from the Rwamagana School of Nursing and Midwifery, to come to Mumbai and train at world renowned hospitals like the Hiranandani Hospital, Fortis Hospital, Hinduja Hospital and the Asian Heart Institute, among others.As Mrs. Kagame very rightly remarked "our futures are defined by our choices we make along the way.” She urged young girls to believe in themselves and have hope. Clarence Fernandes

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Rwandan girls performing at the Indian Merchants’ Chamber in Mumbai to celebrate World Tourism Day recently. The New Times / File.

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Editor,Thank you for this beautiful message, First Lady. But above all, thank you for leading by example – it is because of you that the younger girls ubona bifitiye icyezere and aspire to become women of integrity just like you! You make our job of being role models, bigger sisters, mothers, easier!!Beza, Kacyiru