Members of the Rwandan community in Angola have raised $8,000 (about Rwf10 million) in contribution to a campaign aimed at supporting the national school feeding programme. The DusangireLunch campaign, which was launched by the Ministry of Education in June, aims at increasing nutritional benefits for schoolchildren. In early August, the Rwandan community in Angola pledged to raise $5,000 in contribution to DusangireLunch but the target was exceeded by $3,000, according to Charles Rudakubana, the Rwandan ambassador to Angola. ALSO READ: Rwandans abroad to support national school feeding programme A total of 67 people from the community participated the fundraising campaign which closed on August 31, he said, adding that the Rwandan community in Angola is estimated to be 80 people. “I commend the enthusiasm and commitment shown by the Rwandan Community that is committed to support our government programs,” Rudakubana told The New Times on Monday. The national school feeding programme not only improves nutritional benefits for school children, but has also contributed to a reduction in dropout rates in primary schools, according to figures from the Ministry of Education. ALSO READ: School feeding campaigns reduce dropout rates, spur community engagement More than 3.9 million primary and nursery school children benefit from this programme. In the fiscal year 2023-2024, the government budget for the school feeding programme was Rwf90 billion. Currently, the government covers 90 per cent of a child’s meal at school, with parents contributing about Rwf1,000 per trimester.
