Diaspora students urged to use their skills to develop the country

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Youth and ICT (MYICT), Rosemary Mbabazi, has told Rwandan Diaspora students to be competitive and think about how to impact communities through implementation of their acquired skills and knowledge. Mbabazi was speaking to the students yesterday after the monthly community service ‘Umuganda’ that took place at Peace and Hope Initiative Nursery School in Kinyinya in Gasabo District. MYICT PS Mbabazi addressing students yesterday. The Rwanda Youth Forum which brings together Diaspora students and their local counterparts carried out various activities aimed at expanding the nursery School grounds. “You can do much more to improve the welfare and development of the country. What is most important is good ideas that could impact the community. If you have a good idea and have determination to implementing it, it attracts funding itself,” she said. A resident of Kinyinya participates in Umuganda at Peace and Hope Initiative nursery school. T. Kisambira The students were part of some 400 students who completed secondary school and participated in this year’s National Civic Education Programme locally known as ‘Itorero ry’Igihugu’. Supporting the needy Mbabazi commended Albert Musabyimana, Founder and Country Director of Peace and Hope Initiative that supports the education and welfare of the survivors and their children. Students pose for a photo during Umuganda. / Timothy Kisambira The organisation is made up of heads of child headed families who have been playing the parental role for their younger siblings since their parents’ death in the Genocide. It was created so that their younger siblings can have access to basic needs including a proper education, nutrition and health care. Edwin Cyubahiro, representative of Rwanda Yourth Forum, speaks to students after Umuganda. / Timothy Kisambira Musabyimana said Peace and Hope Nursery School currently has the capacity to accommodate 120 children. “We plan to receive more than 400 children, but this cannot be done overnight,” he noted adding that the school covers education needs of some vulnerable parents free of charge. Members of The church of Christ in Kinyinya participate in Umuganda at Peace and Hope Initiative nursery school. / Timothy Kisambira Yves Mukiza Zigira, a student of Political Science at Tulsa Community College in Oklahoma, USA said: “As people who study abroad, we want to attain knowledge there so that we come to implement it here in our country,” he said. Maureen Cyuzuzo, who graduated from Green Hills Academy and is going to study law at Glasgow Caledonian University in the UK said she is interested in ensuring the welfare of children. Maureen Cyuzuzo, a graduate from Green Hills Academy, says that she wants to protect children after her studies. / Timothy Kisambira “I want to gain relevant skills and come back to my country as I envisage creating an NGO intended to take care of the welfare of children, develop them from a tender age so that they get empowered and prepared for a better future,” she said. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Diaspora students urged to use their skills to develop the country