Group gives New Year's toast to disabled veterans

A cooperative of 15 families of disabled ex-combatants in Rugende, Gasabo District received material donations worth Rwf800,000 to help boost their business. The items, delivered to Igisubizo cy’Iterambere Cooperative by Rwanda Smallholder Specialty Coffee (Rwashoscco) on Monday, include rice, soap, and cooking oil meant to be sold from the cooperative’s shop. Brig Gen John Peter Bagabo (with microphone) commissioner in Rwanda Demobilisation and Reintegration Commission talks to disabled veterans. Angelique Karekezi, the Managing Director of Rwashoscco, said the donation was in recognition of the heroic work by the ex-combatants in the liberation of the country. “We have come to celebrate the 20th liberation together with the ex-combatants. We wanted to visit them, get to know them, and thank them for the tremendous work they did in liberating the nation,” she said. “We decided to support the cooperative and not individuals because cooperatives play a significant role in national development,” she added. Josiane Mukabalisa a shop attendant poses for a photo in the shop of the veterans. Karekezi said they wanted to celebrate Christmas and New Year with the ex-combatants and that the visit marked the beginning of cooperation between Rwashoscco and the Rugende ex-combatants cooperative. Brig. Gen. John Peter Bagabo, commissioner in Rwanda Demobilisation and Reintegration Commission (RDRC), urged beneficiaries to put to good use whatever they get from the government and well-wishers. “Use these donations well so you can soon stop relying on handouts,” Bagabo said. He urged the veterans not to be ashamed of their physical disabilities. Rtd Lt Joseph Sabena talks to media on Monday. The chairman of Igisubizo cy’Iterambere Cooperative Ltd, Lt. Joseph Sabena, commended the donors for the support which he said had helped boost their capital. “We started the shop to save members from travelling long distances to shop. We have achieved our goals so far but we want to do more to help other people in our community,” he said. “We are disabled but able to work, and we are not ashamed of our disabilities because we achieved what we fought for. We are now on a new frontline against poverty,” Sabena said. One of the gardens of Maize grown by the veterans. (All photos by Timothy Kisambira) The disabled ex-combatants grouped in Igisubizo cy’Iterambere Cooperative have a small shop, a haircut salon and six rental houses.

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Group gives New Year's toast to disabled veterans