Imbuto’s students’ holiday camp opens in Huye

A two-day holiday camp organised by Imbuto Foundation for students opened in Huye District on Monday with a call on participants to develop a culture of doing own research beyond classroom teaching. Participants are beneficiaries gathered from Imbuto Foundation’s ‘Edified Generation’ scholarship programme. This year, 420 students are attending the 9th holiday camp; 228 being enrolled in the scholarship programme for the first time this year and 192 being in their last year of secondary education, according to a statement. Monday’s official opening day at Groupe Scolaire Officiel de Butare featured special remarks by Director General of Imbuto Foundation, Sandrine Umutoni. Director General of Imbuto Foundation, Sandrine Umutoni delivers her remarks during the holiday camp which is held annually for students under the Edified Generation scholarship programme. Umutoni urged participants on school life, advising them to always read and make own research beyond classroom learning. “Your teachers give you basic guidelines to further learning. You need to make enough research by reading beyond what you learn in classrooms,” said Umutoni. She also called upon students to take advantage of all opportunities at their disposal; to uplift their families and contribute to national development. The annual camp is implemented under the Youth Empowerment and Mentorship Programme, established by Imbuto Foundation in 2007, to engage, empower and educate Rwandan youth. Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Youth, Emmanuel Bigenimana speaking to the students gathered during the 9th edition of the holiday camp. The Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Youth, Emmanuel Bigenimana, spoke about drug abuse and the negative influence it can have on youth. He also spoke about the importance of Information and Communication Technology. “On behalf of the Minister Rosemary Mbabazi, we thank IF [Imbuto Foundation], the main partner in supporting the youth in Rwanda. The ministry will continue to support you,” he said. “Concerning youth here, you are benefiting from the current policy that supports youth, which was not the case for your parents.” Huye District vice mayor for social affairs Christine Niyomugeni, thanked Imbuto Foundation for holding the continuous programme in her district. The holiday camp has gathered close to 400 students at Groupe Scolaire de Butare (Indatwa nInkesha school) for the annual holiday camp. She also reminded students that since they were selected, are in many ways considered protected seeds. The holiday camp aims at empowering the scholarship recipients, by imparting life skills and positive values and attitudes, to make them grow into integral citizens. It also aims at equipping them with the needed package, to become active agents of change among their peers. The school’s head teacher, Celestin Rwirangira, urged students to take this opportunity to learn the necessary skills as Rwanda’s future leaders. PS Ministry of Youth - Emmanuel Bigenimana, Head of School-Father Celestin Rwirangira, DG of Imbuto Foundation - Sandrine Umutoni, and Social Affairs Vice Mayor of Huye District - Christine Niyomugeni share a light moment during the holiday camp. The students engage with speakers by using different methods of creative interactions such as group discussions and educative games. The topics of discussion include discipline, adolescent sexual reproductive health, human trafficking, importance of saving culture as well as drug and alcohol abuse among others. The students will also participate in a community service (Umuganda) in the host district before closure of the holiday camp.

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Imbuto’s students’ holiday camp opens in Huye