Staff members of MTN Rwandacell Wednesday donated Frw800, 000 to Amizero Orphanage, a home for surviving orphans of the 1994 Genocide based in Bugesera district.

The donation was made under the MTN staff pioneered programme dubbed ‘21 days of Y’ello Care’ following a tour at the Ntarama Genocide memorial site that is just metres away from the orphanage. The site is home to the remains of 5,000 Genocide victims who were killed at the premises of Ntarama church.

"There is a reason why you survived, and everyone among you who studies hard and gets good grades can one day work with us at MTN,” said Themba Khumalo, the MTN Chief Executive Officer.

As an act of love and care to the orphaned survivors, MTN staff built a fence around one house belonging to a child-headed family.

"The problems that these orphans face are numerous and we cannot deal with them all, but through self-help projects, we are able to take care of the immediate needs of the orphans,” said John Niweshuti, the Executive Secretary of Ntarama Sector.

To facilitate the various projects by Genocide survivors living in the area, watering and chemical spraying cans were also donated.

"What MTN has done shows that there are still people out there who care, showing that we are not forgotten…this gives us hope and encourages us,” said  Jeanne Niwemurezi, one of the orphans.

A fully connected mobile telephone was also given to the orphans to help them update the company on the progress made from the money donated to them.

In a related development, MTN staff also delivered supplies to an orphanage in Kamonyi, Southern Province, as part of the company’s annual ‘21 days of Y’ello Care’ campaign.

They donated, among others, Frw600, 000 for buying a Friesian cow for the orphanage, clothes, balls, soft drinks and foodstuff.

"The company initiated an internal staff programme aimed at getting involved in social and community activities. And our main target are disadvantaged individuals in the community,” said Fifi Rurangwa, the company’s sales manager supervisor.

"This is really an excellent campaign for MTN and we are so grateful for the donations and the love they give us (orphanages),” Mother Andria Nyirabarima, the founder of Umurwa w’impuhwe orphanage, said.

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