Visiting elderly survivors is a duty for all of us

Unity Club, a local not-for-profit organisation, will this week embark on its annual activity of visiting the elderly living in different facilities across the country in the spirit of sharing with them the festive season as we draw towards the end of the year. The organisation, which has First Lady Jeannette Kagame as its patron, is composed of current and former members of cabinet and their spouses, and it was primarily created to promote peace and national cohesion. ALSO READ: First Lady inaugurates modern complex to host elderly survivors The same body has established retirement facilities in at least four districts to exclusively take care of elderly survivors of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, most of whom lost their entire families in the Genocide. Currently, there are 222 elderly survivors, commonly known as Intwaza, living in these retirement homes in the districts of Bugesera, Huye, Nyanza and Rusizi, according to Unity Club. The gesture of visiting and sharing the festive season with these vulnerable citizens is a commendable one, especially since this is the time when families tend to meet to share the joy that comes with the season. And just like the initiative to get them out of isolation, Unity Club must be applauded. ALSO READ: We are proud to be called your children, First Lady tells elderly survivors It should also serve as an example to other Rwandans, especially the youth, to regularly check on these people, engage them and get to benefit from the body of knowledge that they possess, now that they are at the tail end of their journey here on earth. Similarly, checking on them should not wait for the festive season. We must regularly visit them and take time to hear from them. ALSO READ: Young activists hang out with elderly Genocide survivors They may be well taken care of at the facilities, with caregivers on hand and provided with all basic amenities, but taking time off to just talk to them would go a long way to make their last days on earth better. There is no doubt that such facilities are needed in other parts of the country. The private sector and other organisations should also take it upon themselves to support Unity Club in setting up more retirement homes to give these good people a dignified life.

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Visiting elderly survivors is a duty for all of us