Cabinet ministers to contribute $200 each to ‘One Dollar Campaign’

Every member of the cabinet has pledged to contribute $ 200 (approx Rwf120,000) each to the ‘One Dollar Campaign’ basket which is aimed at supporting orphans of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. According to the Minister for Cabinet Affairs, Charles Murigande, a cabinet meeting on Wednesday made the pledge to the campaign that was launched early this month. “We have set the minimum pledge at $200 each, however, anyone willing to exceed that there is no problem,” he revealed. “The idea came from the members and the meeting approved it, you can decide to pay in instalments or pay it at once.” The campaign which will run for 100 days, started April 4 ahead of the 15th commemoration of the Genocide. The amount collected during the campaign that was championed by the Rwanda Global Diaspora Network will be used to provide shelter for orphans, especially those in schools, without a place to call home. One Dollar Campaign targets to raise at least Rwf 1.5 billion that will be used to build a hostel to house at least 500 orphans, some of whom are compelled to stay at their schools during holidays. Accounts for the campaign have been opened in Belgium, Japan, Ethiopia, Sweden, Canada, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and other countries for every Rwandan and friends to be involved in the activity. Similar accounts have also been opened in Bank de Kigali to facilitate Rwandans in the interior who want to contribute to the cause. Contacted on phone, the Director General of Diaspora in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Robert Masozera, said that since its launch, the campaign is succeeding with remarkable pledges. “The cabinet commitment is welcome. Not only in terms of money but also shows the political commitment,” Masozera said. In a related development, local artistes are touring the City of Kigali mobilising money to support the campaign. A mega concert is expected today at Petit Stade for the same purpose. Ends

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Cabinet ministers to contribute $200 each to ‘One Dollar Campaign’