[PHOTOS & VIDEO] ICT minister tips youth on transformation

The Minister for Youth and ICT, Jean-Philbert Nsengimana, has called on the youth to participate in community work to help transform the nation. Nsengimana was speaking during a special Umuganda which took place in Rwamagana and focused on fighting malaria in the area. According to the ICT minister, such special community works are organised so as to engage the youth to solve issues they face in their communities. “We’ve come here today to join the youth in doing activities that help transform society. This special community work is part of the activities which were set to engage the young people in activities which help change their lives and their communities. We are investing a lot in educating them and nurturing them into responsible, productive and innovative citizens,” he said. “Today, we are not here to speak a lot, we are here for actions. We are committing ourselves to actions which will shape our future”. Youth in Rwamagana sing after participating in Umuganda. (Timothy Kisambira) During the special Umuganda, members of the army, the police, district leaders and the rest of the citizens gathered in Kigabiro sector, Rwamagana District in the Eastern Province to clear the bushy areas near the main hospital of Rwamagana as part of the efforts to help prevent and fight against malaria which, according to the minister, is becoming a prevalent issue. Rwamagana residents park their motorbikes and bicycles to participate in Umuganda. (Timothy Kisambira) “As part of the country’s efforts to fight and prevent malaria, we have decided to join efforts with all the people, especially the youth, so as to contribute to this struggle through clearing the bushes, planting trees and cleaning places with stagnant water which may cause malaria,” Nsengimana noted. Jean-Philibert Nsengimana speaks to youth in Rwamagana after participating in Umuganda. (Timothy Kisambira) Meanwhile, Radjab Mbonyumuvunyi, the mayor of Rwamagana sector, said such activities are so crucial in helping the youth to better understand why they should serve their communities. “The youth are energetic, you can even tell from the work done from the three hours we have spent here. This hands-on participation, helps them to understand why and what they need to do to help solve their problems and serve their community. This is also a moment where we sit with them and identify the most urgent issues that they face and find solutions together,” he noted. Rwamagana residents listen to Minister Jean-Philibert Nsengimana after Umuganda. (Timothy Kisambira) The special youth Umuganda is part of performance contracts which are signed by youth leaders. The youth leaders whose performance contracts were aligned with national pillars of economy, and social and good governance agreed to organise special Umuganda on a quarterly basis. A young man throws away rubbish during Umuganda in Rwamagana. (Timothy Kisambira) The youth were also urged to work with commitment and use the available resources to contribute toward their country’s transformation process. “We are very proud of participating in the community work because we also support the initiative since it promotes community development. Again, as young people, when we bring our efforts together we are able to solve many of the problems within ourselves,” said Daniel Uwizeyimana, one of the youth who participated in the Umuganda exercise. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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[PHOTOS & VIDEO] ICT minister tips youth on transformation