Meet Rutaremara, an orphan who has found solace in dancing

Gilbert Rutaremara is an orphan who lost his parents in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. But despite the gloomy past he has not resigned to the unfortunate fate. He earns a living through dancing.He started dancing professionally in 1999, with Abatangampundu dance group and has been a member of the national ballet for many years. He is currently pursuing a degree in Information Technology at Kigali Independent University. Rutaremara has a deep passion for dance and sees it as an important skill that has helped him survive. He feels that he can offer the same opportunity to the children in Kigali by sharing his gift with them.After his secondary education, Rutaremara decided to begin his own dance group- Inkondo Zincamihigo, (Small but strong) by going out into the streets of Kacyiru and dancing with whoever was drawn to him. This slowly evolved into a group that is going places. The group is comprised of 50 members all either orphans or street children. “I started this group with an aim of helping these children earn a living and also be able to have a decent life like other children. Most of these children are homeless. So through dancing we try to raise money and sponsors to help them,” said Rutaremara.The group practices 2-3 times a week. They perform at Hotels, weddings and anywhere else they can. The youngest member of the group is six years old. “My desire is to see all my group members in school and also having everything they need for their everyday life. I want all of them to know their future and vision for their life.”However, it’s not all rosy for Rutaremara in managing his dance group. He lacks a permanent venue for training his group and sufficient materials and costumes for the group members.Rutaremara requests the public to support his noble cause of giving hope to street children and orphans by donating materials like drums, costumes or even sponsoring some of the group members.Inkondo Z’incamihigo was among the first African groups to take part and benefit in the thrill the world dance that takes place every October 26 around the world.

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Meet Rutaremara, an orphan who has found solace in dancing