Rwandans living in South Africa and friends of Rwanda, over the weekend, held a gala dinner to raise funds for the Agaciro Development Fund.
Rwandans living in South Africa and friends of Rwanda, over the weekend, held a gala dinner to raise funds for the Agaciro Development Fund.The dinner, held Saturday evening in Sandton, Johannesburg, was organised by the Rwandan Diaspora committee in collaboration with Rwanda’s High Commission in South Africa.The event, officiated by the High Commissioner, Vincent Karega also brought together friends of Rwanda from Nigeria, Israel, South Africa, Belgium and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.Speaking at the dinner, Karega explained the Agaciro concept and updated the audience on progress in Rwanda.He took questions from the audience and commended the Diaspora for the initiative and the existing good partnership with the High Commission.The evening raised 300,300 South African Rands toping up to the 438.551.16 Rands raised previously, bringing the total from South Africa to 738,851 Rands. (USD 92,356.00 or Rwf 60 million)According to the High Commission, the fundraising process is still ongoing and new pledges still flow in."Southern Africa will be transferring to Rwanda quarterly the collected funds through the Agaciro account opened in Pretoria, the eagerness and the will to contribute was impressive,” a statement from the High Commission reads.Meanwhile, Rwandans in the UK also raised 50, 000 pounds (about Rwf50m) during the launch of a fund raising drive for the Agaciro Development Fund there.The function took place in Coventry city in England.A football match between Rwandans living in Coventry and those in London was part of the activities, also punctuated by music performed by Rwandan musician Kitoko and other artistes. About 500 people attended the function.Total contributions to the Agaciro Development fund are so far in excess of Rwf 20 billion.The Fund will be used to finance development projects across the country.