Volunteers builds houses for Rwandan returning refugees

EASTERN PROVINCE NGOMA — A group of volunteers including 11 Belgians and six members of the Rwandan Red Cross last Friday completed a two-week mission to build houses for Rwandans returning from Tanzania formerly as refugees. The returnees are staying in Rugese, Ngoma district. The mission that was also aimed at helping other vulnerable families was funded by the Belgian government. The volunteers built four houses, made 2,000 bricks and provided other manual labor towards the construction of houses. There are 150 families to be resettled before the end of this year. This includes 103 Rwandans repatriated from Tanzania in January 2006. Goemene Dries, the Belgian Red Cross delegate to Rwanda hailed the volunteers for their contribution towards sheltering vulnerable members in the country. He urged the youth to always do voluntary work in building the nation as future leaders. Close to €500,000 (approximately Frw400m) was earmarked for the construction of the houses. Each house, estimated at Frw1.5 million will have a toilet, kitchen and a bathroom. The same amount was earmarked for different development activities for returnees and other vulnerable residents. This include; seeds, supply of agricultural tools, stocking goats, training them in agriculture, food security as well as rehabilitating water sources. The money will also help in training and educating all the residents of Rurenge sector about health and home hygiene. Ends