WESTERN PROVINCE

RUSIZI — World Relief Rwanda last weekend organized various sports activities as a way of raising HIV/Aids awareness in Rusizi District.

The activities that included cycling and basketball matches were organized in partnership with the district. The winners walked away with various prizes.

Albert Nzacahinyeretse, the World Relief Field officer in Rusizi and Nyamasheke districts said that the sports activities were geared at mobilizing and sensitizing the youth and all residents to always fight HIV/Aids spread and to protect themselves from contracting it.

The cyclist were flagged off at Kobil Petrol Station in Kamembe Sector and rode  through Mururu Sector. Over 20 participants drawn from Kamembe, Mururu, Nkanka and Gihundwe Sectors were attracted.

"World Relief organized the cycling competition and the volleyball matches among secondary schools in order to further sensitize, mobilize and encourage the youth and all residents in the area to always fight against the Aids scourge and to sensitise them to avoid getting infected with it,” Nzacahinyeretse told The New Times.

At least four secondary schools of Gihundwe, Friend’s Secondary School of Kamembe, Peace Guest Secondary School and Apeduc Imena Secondary School participated in the volleyball games. They formed eight teams of both male and female players.

The winner of cycling, Deo Kwizera, received a new bicycle worth Frw50,000 while the four participating schools received Frw50, 000 cash and volleyball net worth 75,000 each.

Addressing participants shortly after the function at Gihundwe Secondary, Nzacahinyeretse urged students to always feel responsible as they fight against HIV/Aids.

He asked them to work with all individuals in mobilizing and sensitizing fellow students and residents to protect themselves from the scourge.

"Fighting against HIV/Aids virus in your respective schools and places of residence should be among your first priority as concerned students and residents in this region because, he said, health is wealth.”

Participants were further advised to change people’s attitudes towards the fight against Aids in all ways and to go for voluntary HIV/Aids testing in order for them to know their health status.    

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