Auditor General extends water to Genocide widows

Eugenie Mukandanga, a resident of Kindama cell, Ruhuha Sector in Bugesera District is the first beneficiary of a clean water project meant for genocide survivors of that village. The piped water projected is a donation from the Auditor General’s Office (AGO). The 59-year-old widow, who lost her husband and three children survived the Genocide with her daughter, Uwitonze Odette, then only four. According to Mukandanga, Uwitonze managed to survive because she was a very little girl by the time the rest her family members perished. “In 1993 when my husband and three of my boys died, killers were then interested in males. That’s how Uwitonze survived. I remember running to Ruhuha church, with Uwitonze and her elder brother. Interahamwe grabbed her brother and killed him on the spot. It was unbearable to watch. But I thank God I and my daughter survived that day, though it is hard to tell how we escaped that scene. I ran away with a machete cut in the head,” Mukandanga said while showing a scar on her head. “I had lost sense of humanity because of being alone. I felt insignificant and unworthy to live. But people have continuously shown me love and kindness; it gives me hope for life and to feel am not alone,” added Mukandanga. Her daughter, Uwitonze, is now a first year student of accounting at Kigali Institute of Management (KIM) under the sponsorship of Fund for the Assistance of Genocide Survivors (FARG) . The Office of Auditor General collaborated with FARG, district and village authorities to construct and renovate Mukandanga’s house as well as the rest of survivors’ housed in her neighborhood. She is also a beneficiary of a cow, in addition to the piped-water project. The Auditor General, Obadiah R. Biraro, said the money for the water project was raised from voluntarily contributions by the staff of his office. “We are aware that this community is basically for widows; with no or one child at most. They do not have anyone to help them fetch water. It is therefore important to provide them with water that can be easily accessed,” Biraro said. The Project is one of other various voluntary development activities the Office of the Auditor General has extended to the community since 2012. Previous activities include, house renovation, donation of 10 cows, goats and household items. “Scientist says water is life. That’s why we chose to fund water pumping to this community in a bid to support good life in the community,” Biraro added. Louis Rwagaju, the Mayor of Bugesera District, welcomed the office’s continued support to genocide survivors, saying that such acts of compassion will renew their hope for life, encourage them to live on, and inspire them to total healing.