Vox-Pop: What are your New Year’s resolutions?

It is a worldly tradition to usher in the New Year with celebration and promises to do acts of self-improvement, effective the New Year’s Day. The New Times spoke to various Rwandans just hours before the world welcomed 2014 and below is what they plan to do and achieve this year.Callixte Kabandana, a cloths vendor in Nyabugogo market Looking after my six children is top on my New Year’s resolutions. Of course, I care about them every year but I will ensure that they get better education, have health care and much more. One of my children has completed Senior Six. I will ensure they are better fed and clothed and sleep in a better place. All I want is the best for my family and children. There is no better resolution for a father.”Emmanuel Nsengiyumva, a shoe vendor in Nyabugogo market My biggest dream is to build a house in this New Year. I will also work harder so that the next 12 months are productive. I have not had significant achievements this year. What I did not achieve in 2013, I must achieve in 2014. In the previous year, I sold about five pairs of shoes a month. Now, I am selling at least 15 and, in 2014, I want to be able to sell more than 20 pairs. That aside, I want to wish all Rwandans a happy and prosperous New Year.”Thomas Habanabakize, street parking warden I intend to work harder to ensure that my country progresses. But in the process, I will also strive to improve myself. I plan to achieve so many things, but, most importantly, I intend to find myself a fiancée and probably get married and raise a family in the following year. Fiacre Dukundane, a computer science student at Kampala International University I want to study hard so as to succeed in school. The next year is going to be my second year at university and, I also plan to do business. I have a passion is IT-related business and I must venture into that in the New Year.Léa Umukesha, a tutor at Muhanga Teacher Training College in Shogwe Sector, in Muhanga District I want to do my best at work and be more productive. I must see more results next year. I also plan to build a house. It has always been my dream. Realising it begins in 2014.”Treasure Kwizera, 17, an artist at Inema Arts Centre in Kyaciru I plan to change my artistic style. I have always enjoyed painting people, but in 2014, I want to learn to paint markets, animals, trees and make sculptures. I would like to sell and exhibit my work internationally. I also want to invent new dances for the Inema Dancing Troup, such as the Intore dance. I also plan to take these skills to the classroom and teach painting and dancing. At the same time I would like to get better marks in the classroom.Dr. Agnes Binagwaho, Minister for Health Our strategy is to tap into medical tourism but this can only happen if we first secure the health of our own people and build infrastructure as well as a quality regime assurance to provide a world class health product. Rwanda has an ambitious but achievable vision of building a self-sustaining economy. To achieve this, the country must accelerate and sustain economic growth at 11.5 per cent annually for the next two decades. My dream at the end of every day is to close my eyes, knowing that the access to prevention, care and treatment has improved for Rwandan children.Bishop (Emeritus) John RucyahanaI will work hard to better my life and other people around the world. I want to help vulnerable children by giving them clothes, uniforms, shoes, and exercise books, among others. We need to give them all the necessary requirement because their parents are poor and cannot afford the basic necessities. We do not want them to lose self-esteem and look odd among other children. We are going to help the historically marginalised because school dropout is higher among them than any other group. This is part of nation building because transforming vulnerable people is transforming society. Amb. Fatuma Ndangiza, Deputy CEO of the Rwanda Governance Board (RGB) My aspiration in 2014 is to have a more united and reconciled Rwanda. I wish to see investment at the local level, job creation and quality education for young people so that they learn to create their own jobs. I would like to continue my modest contribution to empowering people to take control of their lives.MP Jeanne d’Arc Uwimanimpaye, Deputy Speaker In this New Year, I will certainly carry out my legislative duties better and be more helpful to my people. But that is not all that there is to my New Year’s resolutions. Besides work, I have a private life. I have a family. I want to be more organised and increase the quality time I spend with my family, despite the heavy schedule in Parliament.Jean Claude Iranzi, Amavubi and APR FC midfielder Every sportsman wants to achieve more every year. I want to achieve many of the things I was not able to achieve this year. I want to help my team become better and stronger in 2014. I want to help my club to win at least one or more cups this New Year. Once my team achieves success, so will be my family. I also wish to start building my own house next year.Legendary Rwandan vocalist Cécile Kayirebwa I have many New Year’s resolutions but much will certainly revolve around promoting my music and composing new songs. I am also going to work harder for my children. I will also ensure that fallen Rwandan artistes’ works are documented, including songs, poetry and others. This will ensure that we leave behind a rich cultural legacy for our children. I am going to work tirelessly to promote Rwandan culture and heritage.

National

Vox-Pop: What are your New Year’s resolutions?